Baxter Resumes Key IV Supply Line at Hurricane-Damaged North Carolina Facility

Baxter International recently announced the resumption of production on a critical intravenous (IV) solutions manufacturing line at its North Cove facility in Marion, North Carolina. This facility, significantly impacted by Hurricane Helene in late September, is one of the largest in the United States for the production of IV and peritoneal dialysis fluids. The restart marks a major step in stabilizing the supply of essential IV solutions nationwide.

Prior to the disruption, the affected manufacturing line accounted for nearly 25% of the North Cove facility’s total output and approximately 50% of its 1-liter IV solution production. These 1-liter solutions are among the most frequently used IV fluids in medical settings, essential for hydration, medication administration, and other therapeutic applications in hospitals and clinics.

The interruption caused by Hurricane Helene’s heavy rains and subsequent flooding has led to a shortage of sterile IV solutions across the United States. These IV fluids play a critical role in various medical treatments, from intravenous dialysis to certain surgical procedures. Baxter’s North Cove plant spans approximately 1.4 million square feet and employs over 2,500 personnel, making it the largest facility of its kind in the U.S. for producing IV solutions and peritoneal dialysis products.

Baxter’s objective is to return to 90%–100% of its IV solution production capacity, specifically for certain product codes, by the end of 2024 to meet the needs of U.S. healthcare providers. The company has taken several additional steps to expedite recovery:

Logistics Support with Temporary Bridge: A temporary bridge established at North Cove has enabled the transport of over 885 truckloads of finished products, helping ensure that critical supplies reach customers on time.

Expanding Peritoneal Dialysis Support: Baxter has resumed limited support for new peritoneal dialysis patients, aiming to restore service to pre-hurricane levels by the end of 2024.

Financial Assistance for Impacted Communities: The Baxter International Foundation has contributed approximately $4 million in aid to support employees and local communities affected by the hurricane.

Other leading companies in the medical technology sector, including B. Braun Medical and Fresenius Medical Care, have also taken action to help mitigate the shortage of sterile IV fluids.

In a recent statement, U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra commended Baxter's progress, emphasizing the importance of monitoring the restarted production line closely to ensure the quality and safety of all IV products. He noted that, in addition to Baxter’s resumed production, imported supplies from international sources have been authorized under temporary FDA regulatory adjustments to address the shortage.

“This latest development brings us closer to ensuring that our healthcare partners and patients have access to the necessary, high-quality supplies,” Becerra stated, expressing optimism for continued progress in restoring supply levels.