• Login
    • Join
  • FOLLOW:
  • Subscribe Free
    • Magazine
    • eNewsletter
    Checkout
    • Magazine
    • News
    • Opinions
    • Top 30
    • Research
    • Supply Chain
    • Device Sectors
    • Directory
    • Events
    • Resources
    • Microsites
    • More
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Top 30
  • Research
  • Supply Chain
  • Device Sectors
  • Directory
  • Events
  • Resources
  • Microsites
  • Current / Back Issues
    Features
    Editorial
    Digital Edition
    eNewsletter Archive
    Our Team
    Editorial Guidelines
    Reprints
    Subscribe Now
    Advertise Now
    Top Features
    Sensing Technology Drives the Future of Medical Care

    New and Developing Diabetes Technologies Offer 'Sweet Relief'

    Discussing Matters of Substance in Medtech Materials

    Medical Device Testers Are Caught Up in a Whirlwind

    6 Ways ERP Systems Help Medical Device Manufacturers Manage Risk and Profitability
    OEM News
    Supplier News
    Service / Press Releases
    Online Exclusives
    Press Releases
    People in the News
    Product & Service Releases
    Supplier News
    Medtech Makers
    Technical Features
    International News
    Videos
    Product & Service Releases
    Live From Shows
    Regulatory
    Financial/Business
    Top News
    MPO's Most-Read Stories This Week—March 25

    Getinge iCast Receives FDA Premarket Approval

    Tessy Plastics Corp. Celebrates 50th Anniversary

    Carium Expands Customization Options with Care Pathways

    InBody Supplying U.S. Marine Corps With Body Composition Analysis Devices
    From the Editor
    Blogs
    Guest Opinions
    Top Opinions
    Sensing Technology Drives the Future of Medical Care

    New and Developing Diabetes Technologies Offer 'Sweet Relief'

    Discussing Matters of Substance in Medtech Materials

    Medical Device Testers Are Caught Up in a Whirlwind

    6 Ways ERP Systems Help Medical Device Manufacturers Manage Risk and Profitability
    Top 30 Medical Device Companies
    Market Data
    White Papers
    Top Research
    CR-SOP Neurotechnology Helps to Achieve ‘Sound’ Sleep

    Inside the Hospital Value Analysis Committee

    Face Time: Why Getting Engineers Out of the Lab Is Good for Business

    Common Paratubing Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

    During Times of Uncertainty, Create Business Value with an Optimized Workforce
    3D/Additive Manufacturing
    Contract Manufacturing
    Electronics
    Machining & Laser Processing
    Materials
    Molding
    Packaging & Sterilization
    R&D & Design
    Software & IT
    Testing
    Tubing & Extrusion
    Cardiovascular
    Diagnostics
    Digital Health
    Neurological
    Patient Monitoring
    Surgical
    Orthopedics
    All Companies
    Categories
    Company Capabilities
    Add New Company
    Outsourcing Directory
    Medbio LLC

    Fusion Biotec Inc.

    Arthur G. Russell Co. Inc., The

    Providence Enterprise USA Inc.

    Halkey-Roberts Corporation
    MPO Summit
    Industry Events
    Webinars
    Live From Show Event
    Industry Associations
    Videos
    Career Central
    eBook
    Slideshows
    Top Resources
    3D Printing Medical Devices Revolutionized Manufacturing

    5 Current Trends in Medical Device Security

    How Advanced Sensors Improve Design & Functionality of Respiratory Care Equipment

    Sourcing Silicone Parts: Injection Mold or 3D Print?

    Cybersecurity in Healthcare: Getting on the Right Track
    Companies
    News Releases
    Product Releases
    Press Releases
    Product Spec Sheets
    Service Releases
    Case Studies
    White Papers
    Brochures
    Videos
    Outsourcing Directory
    Medbio LLC

    Fusion Biotec Inc.

    Arthur G. Russell Co. Inc., The

    Providence Enterprise USA Inc.

    Halkey-Roberts Corporation
    • Magazine
      • Current/Back Issues
      • Features
      • Editorial
      • Columns
      • Digital Editions
      • Subscribe Now
      • Advertise Now
    • News
    • Directory
      • All Companies
      • ALL CATEGORIES
      • Industry Associations
      • Company Capabilities
      • Add Your Company
    • Supply Chain
      • 3D/Additive Manufacturing
      • Contract Manufacturing
      • Electronics
      • Machining & Laser Processing
      • Materials
      • Molding
      • Packaging & Sterilization
      • R&D & Design
      • Software & IT
      • Testing
      • Tubing & Extrusion
    • Device Sectors
      • Cardiovascular
      • Diagnostics
      • Digital Health
      • Neurological
      • Patient Monitoring
      • Surgical
      • Orthopedics
    • Top 30 Company Report
    • Expert Insights
    • Slideshows
    • Videos
    • eBook
    • Resources
    • Podcasts
    • Infographics
    • Whitepapers
    • Research
      • White Papers
      • Case Studies
      • Product Spec Sheets
      • Market Data
    • MPO Summit
    • Events
      • Industry Events
      • Live From Show Events
      • Webinars
    • Microsite
      • Companies
      • Product Releases
      • Product Spec Sheets
      • Services
      • White Papers / Tech Papers
      • Press Releases
      • Videos
      • Literature / Brochures
      • Case Studies
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Contact Us
      • Advertise with Us
      • eNewsletter Archive
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms of Use
    Online Exclusives

    Why Is Manufacturing Demand Increasing for IV Bags?

    Many types and sizes of IV bags are in short supply, putting a strain on the industry.

    Why Is Manufacturing Demand Increasing for IV Bags?
    Emily Newton, Editor-in-Chief, Revolutionized03.30.21
    Like many medical supplies, IV bags are in short supply. But things are getting better.
     
    Due to the pandemic and other world events, many medical supplies are hard to come by these days. Pharmaceuticals and medicines are experiencing a shortage, but so are some of the more prominent components like gloves, masks, ventilators, and even cleaning supplies.
     
    Another shortage making waves is the lack of IV bags. Part of it is a shortage of saline, which is produced and stored in IV bags. It may be “just” saltwater, but it’s manufactured in a sterile environment and kept both pyrogen- and particulate-free. Those requirements mean it can’t just be produced anywhere.
     
    IV bags, in general, are in short supply, including many types and sizes. It puts a strain on the entire industry, from the manufacturers producing the supplies to the medical centers that rely on them for patient care.
     
    What is causing all of this? What’s to blame for the shortages?
     
    Why Are There Medical Supply Shortages?
    COVID-19 is a major factor. Alongside other public health events, it has put an incredible weight on the medical community’s shoulders. Hospitals everywhere have been dealing with nearly full or overflowing patient capacities due to the illness. The more people who need treatment, the greater the demand for medicine and supplies.
     
    The pandemic isn’t the only factor. Unfortunately, it happened at a time when medical supplies were already in a deficit. With IV bags, for example, Hurricane Maria back in September 2018 was the culprit.
     
    The hurricane hit Puerto Rico, which is the operations center for many pharmaceutical companies, including Baxter. An already short supply was made worse by the natural disaster, and it halted production.
     
    From there, other providers were unable to make up for the shortage. IV bag manufacturers have been playing catch-up ever since, and then the pandemic hit, making things that much worse.
     
    Most of the shortages follow a similar pattern as IV bags, with a deficit that continues to grow each day. Demand continues to rise, not just because of COVID-19 but also because of a long list of other health conditions and ailments.
     
    Why IV Bags?
    IV bags are used to distribute fluids and medicine to patients, especially those who cannot acquire the necessary supply themselves. For example, patients undergoing an operation receive IVs, which provide critical fluids like saline. The fluids are stored inside the bag, and they’re distributed slowly through sterile tubes using a drip method. This is commonly known as an intravenous system (IV).
     
    The bags are also used to store various other liquid supplies, including blood.
     
    Because of the unique requirements, medical providers cannot just buy these bags from anywhere. They must have been created in a sterile and safe environment, whether empty or full.
     
    Special radio-frequency tools are necessary to seal the bags properly, which means finding a manufacturer with the right know-how and equipment. Many IV bags also have a proprietary design, built specifically to distribute whatever fluids are inside. Blood IV bags, for instance, are slightly different from saline or conventional fluid IV bags.
     
    Moreover, the bags come in a variety of sizes ranging from small to large. Baxter is a major producer of the smaller variants. When it encounters problems, as it has recently, it creates a shortage of a specific type of IV bag. This can have sweeping implications for medical providers.
     
    Other manufacturers are forced to pick up the slack, but it means focusing on that particular size, taking away resources from other variants. The result is a significant shortage across the board, regardless of bag size or type.
     
    All of these requirements, and the difficulties in adhering to them, compound to create an even larger problem, made worse by the shortages.
     
    How Will Manufacturers Solve the IV Bag Shortage?
    There is some good news. From the FDA to new manufacturers, many parties are united in the pursuit of ending the shortage and increasing the overall supply, using whatever means are available.
     
    The situation has not gone unnoticed, as companies like B. Braun Medical have begun investing money to improve the situation. B. Braun is opening a new manufacturing plant in Florida, renovating a center in California, and expanding production in Pennsylvania, for a total of $1 billion in investments. This will introduce a new supply of IV bags into the medical field once the adjustments have been made.
     
    The FDA is also considering moving back the expiration dates for existing IV supplies, provided it can be done safely. The agency has enlisted the help of international manufacturers as well, such as German-operated Fresenius Kabi, and Spain’s Laboratorios Grifols.
     
    Baxter and the other major providers have also ramped up production, which should soon boost supply, although there’s no definitive end in sight. The FDA has released an industry-specific guide encouraging the conservation of current supplies. If followed, medical providers should be able to stretch their current inventories to weather the storm.
     
    When Will It End?
    The shortage is complicated, which means there’s no clear answer. Fortunately, the FDA has already made concessions to improve the situation, along with several manufacturers like B. Braun Medical. Also, medical providers are doing their best to conserve existing supplies and to stretch incoming supplies—infrequent as they are—as much as possible.
     
    There are no valid estimates for when the shortage might lessen or end altogether. Even though that news doesn’t inspire confidence, many parties are working to improve the situation, so things are looking more positive than grim. The influx of newly manufactured goods should be entering the market soon, within the second or third quarters of 2021.
     
    Hopefully, it won’t be too long before supplies are readily available and inventories are full again.


    Emily Newton is the Editor-in-Chief of Revolutionized. She’s always excited to learn how the latest industry trends will improve the world. She has over four years of experience covering stories in the science and tech sectors.
    Suggested For You
    NTK Cutting Tools USA NTK Cutting Tools USA
    JK Medirise-Disposable Medical Device Company JK Medirise-Disposable Medical Device Company
    ECA Medical Instruments ECA Medical Instruments
    Oberg Medical Oberg Medical
    Nordson MEDICAL Nordson MEDICAL
    sfm medical devices GmbH sfm medical devices GmbH
    Anjon Medical Technologies Anjon Medical Technologies
    BMP Medical - Delivering Custom Plastics Manufactured Solutions BMP Medical - Delivering Custom Plastics Manufactured Solutions
    High Tech Turning Co. Inc. High Tech Turning Co. Inc.
    Accu-Tube Appoints Matthew Haddle as CEO Accu-Tube Appoints Matthew Haddle as CEO
    PTI Engineered Plastics Wins a 2021 Macomb Business Award PTI Engineered Plastics Wins a 2021 Macomb Business Award
    Midwest Products & Engineering Acquires MindFlow Design Midwest Products & Engineering Acquires MindFlow Design
    Luis J. Malavé Joins Integrity Applications Board Luis J. Malavé Joins Integrity Applications Board
    CE Mark Granted to Expandable, Biodegradable Biliary Stent CE Mark Granted to Expandable, Biodegradable Biliary Stent
    FDA OKs Abbott FDA OKs Abbott's FreeStyle Libre 2 iOS App

    Related Buyers Guide Companies

    • NTK Cutting Tools USA

      ...
      Melissa Singher, Senior Product Coordinator 11.18.22

    • JK Medirise-Disposable Medical Device Company

      ...
      Ketan Munjani, Marketing Manager 11.17.22

    • ECA Medical Instruments

      ECA Medical Instruments

      ...
      Jim Schultz, VP Customer Solutions 11.16.22


    • Oberg Medical

      Oberg Medical

      ...
      Ken Eck, Marketing Communications Manager 11.16.22

    • Nordson MEDICAL

      Nordson MEDICAL

      ...
      Kara Holmstrom, Sr. Marketing & Design Specialist 11.11.22

    Loading, Please Wait..

    Trending
    • FDA Clears LiveMetric's Wearable Blood Pressure Monitoring Tech
    • InBody Supplying U.S. Marine Corps With Body Composition Analysis Devices
    • A New Approach To Post-Market Surveillance
    • Tessy Plastics Corp. Celebrates 50th Anniversary
    • Healthcare Changes Prompt Medtronic To Merge Sales Force Medtronic, Inc. Is Combining Its U.S. Ca
    Breaking News
    • MPO's Most-Read Stories This Week—March 25
    • Getinge iCast Receives FDA Premarket Approval
    • Tessy Plastics Corp. Celebrates 50th Anniversary
    • Carium Expands Customization Options with Care Pathways
    • InBody Supplying U.S. Marine Corps With Body Composition Analysis Devices
    View Breaking News >
    CURRENT ISSUE

    March 2023

    • Sensing Technology Drives the Future of Medical Care
    • New and Developing Diabetes Technologies Offer 'Sweet Relief'
    • Discussing Matters of Substance in Medtech Materials
    • Medical Device Testers Are Caught Up in a Whirlwind
    • View More >

    Cookies help us to provide you with an excellent service. By using our website, you declare yourself in agreement with our use of cookies.
    You can obtain detailed information about the use of cookies on our website by clicking on "More information”.

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Contact Us

    follow us

    Subscribe
    Nutraceuticals World

    Latest Breaking News From Nutraceuticals World

    NPA: ‘Major Victory’ in Colorado After Amendment to Eating Disorder Bill
    GOOD Meat Receives FDA Go-Ahead for Cultured Meat
    IFF Achieves Industrial-Scale Production of Anaerobic Probiotic Strain
    Coatings World

    Latest Breaking News From Coatings World

    HOFFMANN MINERAL to Focus on Comprehensive Sustainability Strategy
    HMG and Prodrive Renew Technical Partnership
    Eastern Coatings Show Sets Schedule for Technical Papers
    Medical Product Outsourcing

    Latest Breaking News From Medical Product Outsourcing

    MPO's Most-Read Stories This Week—March 25
    Getinge iCast Receives FDA Premarket Approval
    Tessy Plastics Corp. Celebrates 50th Anniversary
    Contract Pharma

    Latest Breaking News From Contract Pharma

    Willow, Suanfarma Complete Manufacturing Process for Cannabigerol
    Berkshire Sterile to Install nearly 1,500 solar panels at Massachusetts site
    Harm Reduction Therapeutics, Catalent Ink Naloxone Commercial Supply Pact
    Beauty Packaging

    Latest Breaking News From Beauty Packaging

    Interpack 2023 Introduces New Special Areas and Activities
    eSalon Expands into Over 1,900 CVS Stores Nationwide
    The RealReal Discontinues Beauty Business
    Happi

    Latest Breaking News From Happi

    Clairol Announces First Global Haircare Campaign in Five Years
    Nair’s Pre & Smooth Hair Removal, Walmart’s Accelerator
    ‘Glossier You’ Returns to Glossier’s Fragrance Portfolio
    Ink World

    Latest Breaking News From Ink World

    Weekly Recap: Packaging Inks, Toyo Ink Top This Week’s Stories
    Eastern Coatings Show Announces Schedule for Technical Papers
    Pulse Roll Label Products Adds Sean Labas to Technical Sales Team
    Label & Narrow Web

    Latest Breaking News From Label & Narrow Web

    Imageworx details new facility, Avery Dennison tackles recycling and more
    TLMI announces 2022 Eugene Singer Award winners
    Pulse Roll Label Products expands technical sales team
    Nonwovens Industry

    Latest Breaking News From Nonwovens Industry

    Weekly Recap: Heartland Polymers Begins Production, Zeta Polimeri Becomes Radici EcoMaterials & More
    Heartland Polymers Begins Production in Alberta
    Zeta Polimeri Becomes Radici EcoMaterials
    Orthopedic Design & Technology

    Latest Breaking News From Orthopedic Design & Technology

    ODT's Most-Read Stories This Week—March 25
    AI is Effective at Documenting Orthopedic Encounters in Hand Surgery
    3D LifePrints Rebrands to Insight Surgery & Launches New Business in Houston
    Printed Electronics Now

    Latest Breaking News From Printed Electronics Now

    Weekly Recap: Dave Rahami, Zebra, Dracula Technologies Top This Week’s Stories
    Midsummer, UCLA Collaborate on Perovskite-CIGS Tandem Solar Cells
    HID Reports on Reshaping the Security Industry

    Copyright © 2023 Rodman Media. All rights reserved. Use of this constitutes acceptance of our privacy policy The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Rodman Media.

    AD BLOCKER DETECTED

    Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors.
    Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.


    FREE SUBSCRIPTION Already a subscriber? Login