Fresenius Kabi receives FDA award

LAKE ZURICH - Fresenius Kabi has received a Drug Shortage Assistance Award from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA recognized the role Fresenius Kabi played in helping mitigate a shortage of IV saline, specifically Sodium Chloride Injection USP, 0.9 percent in bags. The shortage was caused last year by supply disruptions at manufacturers affected by Hurricane Maria. The hurricane devastated Puerto Rico, where many companies produce medicines for U.S. hospitals.

"Fresenius Kabi is pleased to work with the FDA to help prevent and mitigate shortages," said John Ducker, president and CEO of Fresenius Kabi USA. "Our collaboration with the FDA is focused on helping clinicians and hospitals assure patients in the U.S. have access to the medicines they need."

Working with drug manufacturers, the FDA helped prevent 132 drug shortages in 2017 and 115 in 2016. There were 35 new drug shortages in 2017 and 23 new shortages in 2016. Although there was a slight increase in shortages in 2017 compared to 2016, this is still lower than previous years.