Canberra, Aug 27 (Agency) The Australian government has secured the supply of an extra 22 million bags of intravenous (IV) fluids amid a shortage. Mark Butler, the minister for health, announced on Tuesday that the government has worked with local producers and suppliers to secure the supply of over 22 million additional bags of IV fluid over the next six months, which he said would exceed forecast demand over that period. Butler and his state and territory counterparts earlier in August said a shortage of IV fluids in Australia would continue for the rest of 2024 and established a national response group to coordinate the distribution of the product. IV fluids are specially formulated liquids that are injected into a patient’s vein for fluid replacement, resuscitation, and administering medications directly into the bloodstream.
According to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australia’s shortage of the critical fluids has been caused by global supply limitations, unexpected increases in demand, and manufacturing issues. In a statement, Butler said that Baxter Healthcare, one of Australia’s three suppliers of IV fluids, advised the response group at a meeting on Monday that it is producing IV fluids at record levels from its Sydney site. He said that the response group received advice from states and territories, as well as hospital representatives, that the shortage has stabilized in most jurisdictions. “The TGA is aware that jurisdictions are alerting staff of the situation and instructing all staff to use IV stock judiciously,” he said. The response group will continue to meet on a weekly basis or more frequently if required while supply remains constrained in Australia.