Saline solution shipment to ease Taiwan’s medical shortage

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A shipment of 100,000 bottles of saline solution is set to arrive in Taiwan on Wednesday (June 12) evening. This will mark a crucial step toward addressing the shortage of intravenous fluids after Y F Chemical Corp. (永豐化學工業股份有限公司) ceased production for failing to meet the PIC/S GMP standards.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has been proactive since early May, implementing measures including urging qualified domestic manufacturers to increase production and initiating public solicitations for special import or manufacturing projects.

Wu Shou-mei (吳秀梅), director-general of the FDA, highlighted the collaboration with six qualified manufacturers, including Chi Sheng Pharma & Biotech Co., Ltd. (濟生醫藥), Taiwan Biotech Co., Ltd. (信東生技), and others, to boost production domestically. Furthermore, seven companies have assisted in the special importation of saline solutions to alleviate the supply shortage.

Wu stated that the imported saline solution and increased production by domestic manufacturers will gradually distribute the supply to medical institutions in need this week. Also, a second batch of 216,000 saline bags is expected to arrive on Saturday, easing the pressure on medical supplies.

This strategic response underscores the government's commitment to ensuring the continuity of essential medical supplies and addressing healthcare needs promptly. The collaborative effort between the FDA and domestic and international partners plays a pivotal role in overcoming the challenges posed by the production halt of a critical supplier.