Australian impact of regional and global shortage of intravenous solutions
The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) have published an alert about a shortage of multiple intravenous (IV) fluid products in Australia due to global supply limitations, unexpected increases in demand, and manufacturing issues.
From information available to ANZCA, this is affecting jurisdictions in different ways, with different IV preparations and presentations being in short or sometimes adequate supply. This applies to products from all three Australian suppliers – Baxter Healthcare, B.Braun and Fresenius Kabi.
An ABC News article published on 25 July 2024 reported that Australian health services and veterinary clinics are conserving their stock of intravenous (IV) fluid or using alternative products amid a global shortage of saline solutions.
The TGA medicine shortage alert was published on 26 July 2024 and notes that they have approved multiple overseas-registered alternative fluids under section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989.
Multiple state and territory health agencies are reported to have issued advice to health services and formed working groups to develop responses to the situation. The only publicly available alert that ANZCA is aware of is the NSW Health safety alert issued on 16 July.
Anaesthetists are advised to consult within their health service for local responses to this supply disruption. In some circumstances, alternate suppliers may have stock or alternative intravenous solutions may need to be considered. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates when available.
