By Meg Tirrell, John Bonifield and Brenda Goodman
After an EF-3 tornado severely damaged Pfizer’s Rocky Mount, North Carolina plant last week, the company is informing hospitals it may face “continued or new supply disruptions.”
As part of a letter sent to customers on Friday, the pharmaceutical company advised hospitals about 30 products with less than three months of inventory in its distribution chain, including certain dosages of epinephrine for allergic reactions, fentanyl for severe pain, and lidocaine for pain relief.
As a result of this weather event, we have identified a subset of Rocky Mount products by NDC that may experience continued or new supply disruptions in the near-term,” the company wrote in the letter viewed by CNN in an effort to help customers plan for patient care today. “This subset is based on Pfizer market share and inventory levels of less than three months at our distribution centers and wholesalers.”
The three-month inventory metric represents an abundance of caution based on the available information and does not reflect any estimated restart of production, according to Pfizer. Production had been stopped at the facility, and the company did not know when it would resume.
Among the products are 15 drugs, some of which are already on the list of FDA shortages. The closure of the plant has worried supply chain experts that it will exacerbate an already historic level of drug shortages. However, Erin Fox, who tracks shortages at the University of Utah Health as associate chief pharmacy officer for shared services, said that Pfizer’s list did not cause her too much concern.
While things may worsen at some point, according to the information Pfizer has provided, this is not a long-term issue we will have to deal with, Fox told CNN in an email. Because many of the drugs have been in short supply, organizations have ways to manage the situation.
According to the FDA, Pfizer put many of its products under strict allocation in order to ensure that the products are available to those in need and to avoid hoarding.
Depending on contractual relationships, this could lead to localized supply disruptions.
In its letter to customers, Pfizer said it will refine its information and provide additional updates as it learns more from a site assessment.
Manufacturers have suggested that since a warehouse rather than production lines was damaged, any shortages will not last as long as if drug manufacturing were shut down.
On 250 acres in the eastern part of the state, the plant has more than 1.4 million square feet of manufacturing space, making it one of the world’s largest manufacturers of sterile injectable drugs.
Fox said that it will take time for the site to recover, but it is good news the production lines weren’t affected. If a tornado had to strike, this seems to be the best scenario.
After a tornado strikes Toronto, swift recovery is essential. Seek reputable sources for guidance on immediate actions, safety measures, and insurance reporting at https://ncrestoration.ca/ Assess the tornado damage carefully to prioritize recovery efforts. Engage trusted disaster restoration companies for wind damage repair efficient cleanup and property restoration. Learn tornado safety measures and create emergency plans to mitigate future risks. Tap into local support services for assistance and emotional support during the recovery process. Stay resilient and informed to rebuild your life after tornado devastation.
