This latest news from our friends in the US at AHRRM raises the question of the corrosive effect that climate change in general can have on the resilience of a supply chain already under strain as it is in the UK and the global ripple effect of the impact of this to global supply chains of sterile injectables.
Crews are working to restore power and assess damage to a Pfizer plant in North Carolina that makes sterile injectables for US hospitals after a tornado struck the facility July 19, the company has said.
The facility makes nearly 25% of all Pfizer’s sterile injectables and nearly 8% of all the sterile injectables used in U.S. hospitals. Most of the damage was caused to the warehouse facility, which stores raw materials, packaging supplies and finished medicines awaiting release by quality assurance.
“Pfizer is working diligently to move product to other nearby sites for storage and to identify sources to replace damaged raw materials and supplies,” the company said. “Pfizer is also exploring alternative manufacturing locations for production across our significant manufacturing presence in the U.S. and internationally and across the company’s partner network. After an initial assessment, there does not appear to be any major damage to the medicine production areas.”
Nancy Foster, AHA’s vice president of quality and patient safety policy, said, “AHA is keenly aware that drug shortages, including sterile injectables, can have serious consequences for patients. While we are still seeking to more fully understand the full nature of the impact of the destruction of this plant, it is clear that it produced many sterile injectables that are used every day in the care of critically ill patients and those undergoing surgery. We are reaching out to the relevant federal agencies, the group purchasing organisations, and others to learn more about Pfizer’s resiliency in the face of this tragic destruction of its plant. We are also looking to learn about alternative sources or substitute medications that may be available so that hospitals can continue to provide the highest quality care to the sick or injured people in their communities.”
Source: AHRRM
Date: 25 July