Australian IV fluid shortage update: What we know

Some hospital patients have been encouraged to drink more water instead of being given an IV bag because of a global shortage. This is what we know and how it will affect your household.

Australia has managed to secure more intravenous (IV) fluids after hospitals have suffered shortages from the ripple effect of global manufacturing capacity constraints and supply issues.

This is what we know and how it will affect your next hospital visit and/or procedure.

WHAT IS THE LATEST ON AUSTRALIA’S IV FLUID SHORTAGE?

Health Minister Mark Butler said Tuesday the Albanese Government has worked with local producers and suppliers to secure supply of over 22 million additional IV fluid bags for the affected product lines over the next six months.

WHERE IS THE IV FLUID COMING FROM FOR AUSTRALIA?

The government will be getting it both locally produced and imported. Baxter is manufacturing IV fluids at its Sydney manufacturing site at record levels, and is going to expand its local manufacturing plant.

WHAT IV FLUID DOES AUSTRALIA NEED?

The shortage is affecting multiple bag sizes of Sodium Chloride 0.9% (saline) and Compound Sodium Lactate (Hartmann’s solution) products, the TGA states.

WILL IT BE ENOUGH?

Mt Butler said this supply volume exceeds the forecast demand over this period.

WHY IS THERE AN IV FLUID SHORTAGE?

There haave been unexpected increases in demand and manufacturing capacity constraints, causing shortages worldwide.

HOW IS AUSTRALIA SOLVING THE SHORTAGE?

A cross-jurisdictional Response Group convened by all states and territories and the Commonwealth has been set up to look at the health system. It also includes representation from private hospitals and primary care providers. The TGA has also been monitoring the IV fluid situation and discussing supply challenges with state and territory health department in its Medicines Availability Working Group (MAWG) meetings.

IV fluids are a necessary part of health care and Australia is being affected by a global shortage.

IS THE SHORTAGE AT A CRITICAL POINT?

The Response Group met Monday and advice from states and territories suggests the situation has mostly stabilised. But Austrlaia’s supply is still limited.

WHAT’S THE PLAN AHEAD?

The Group is meeting on a weekly basis, or more frequently if required, while supply remains constrained in Australia in 2024. Some doctors are saying the shortage could continue until 2025.

WHAT’S THE TGA SAYING ABOUT THE SHORTAGE?

On its website the TGA states it is aware of shortages of multiple IV fluid products from all three Australian suppliers (Baxter Healthcare, B.Braun, and Fresenius Kabi).

“IV fluids are essential medicines used in hospitals for routine and critical care,” it states. “They are crucial for fluid replacement, resuscitation, and administering other medications directly into the bloodstream.

“To improve supply, we have approved multiple overseas-registered alternative saline fluids under section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.

“We are continuing to prioritise evaluation of additional applications submitted under section 19A. Please see further information below or visit our Section 19A approvals database for up-to-date information about the alternative products (search by the active ingredient, ‘0.9% Sodium Chloride’).

“We continue to collaborate with jurisdiction health departments, and suppliers of Australian-registered IV fluid products to monitor the situation and address any regulatory barriers to supply.”

CAN THE TGA DO MORE TO SECURE SUPPLY OF IV FLUIDS?

The TGA states it works with pharmaceutical companies about shortages of their medicines to health professionals and patients. But it is unable to compel companies to register, manufacture, or increase supply in Australia.

WILL I GET AN IV IN HOSPITAL IF I NEED IT?

That will be at the discretion of the hospital and the doctor you see and what you require in terms of health care. Some patients have been encouraged to drink more water instead of being given an IV bag. But it will be determined on a case by case basis.

Originally published as Australian IV fluid shortage update: What we know