Pfizer curbs distribution of some drugs from tornado-hit plant

2023-08-04

In a recent letter to hospitals, Pfizer stated that it is limiting the distribution of some drugs manufactured at its plant in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, after the facility was damaged by a tornado last month. The inventory management update listed 12 injectable products that Pfizer will only distribute through emergency orders "due to their high medical need," noting that its action is effective "immediately and until further notice."

Some versions of the listed drugs were already in short supply in the US prior to the tornado, according to a database from the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. These include sodium chloride injections used to treat hyponatraemia, as well as a potassium acetate injection used for hypokalaemia.

Also on the list are certain versions of dobutamine and dopamine, used to treat hypotension, low cardiac output and reduced perfusion of body organs due to shock, trauma and sepsis. According to Pfizer's letter, hospitals will be asked to provide their requested order quantity and average monthly demand or usage.

Pfizer previously stated that the Rocky Mount facility accounted for 8% of all sterile injectable medicines used in US hospitals, spanning anaesthesia, analgesia, therapeutics, anti-infectives, and neuromuscular blockers. In a statement following the tornado, the company said the warehouse facility, which stores raw materials, packaging supplies and finished medicines, appeared to have suffered the most damage, while an initial assessment suggested there did not appear to be "any major damage" to the medicine production areas, although it has warned that there could be supply disruptions.

It also said it was exploring alternative manufacturing locations for production across its other sites in the US and abroad, as well as through its network of partners. During the company's recent earnings call, CEO Albert Bourla said the drugmaker is still assessing how long it will take to bring the facility back online.

Meanwhile, all other products manufactured at the Rocky Mount facility that are not mentioned on the list remain available in the distribution chain. "We believe this is the most responsible approach to enable equitable distribution of their remaining inventory as well as support continuity of patient care while we work to restart production," Meera Bhavsar, Pfizer's sterile injectables portfolio lead, wrote in the letter.

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