A shortage of intravenous fluids remains a concern across the State, with supply issues expected to continue into next year.
Royal Australian College of GPs WA Chair Dr Ramya Raman said while supply had recently improved, there was still concern about the implications to care, particularly in rural and remote areas.
It comes as the Therapeutic Goods Association has warned shortages of all three Australia suppliers – Baxter Healthcare, B. Braun and Fresenius Kabi – are expected to continue into 2025.
Alarm bells over a shortage of IV fluids globally were first raised in July this year, with some hospitals warning staff to be cautious with the amount of saline solution they used.
To mitigate the shortage, the TGA has approved 14 alternative overseas-registered saline products for use in hospitals and other settings under section 19A of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, which allows alternatives to registered medicines if they are in short supply.
Dr Raman advised general practice to make sure there is enough stock on hand in case of an emergency.
“The main implications for us in general practice are if someone comes in very unwell and we’re needing to give them some fluids then we need to be able to administer that,” she said.
“But also, less acute conditions where someone might be needing fluids because they’re unwell, particularly in rural and remote areas general practice would be a setting where that can be administered so there needs to be that availability.
“In rural and remote areas there is a lot more demand on what can and cannot be done in general practice because access to tertiary care is a bit more limited, so we’ve got to keep that in mind when there is a shortage of these things because it makes it much harder for our GPs in those areas to deliver that care.”
Data from November suggest supply of IV fluids remain limited, with saline particularly affected. The supply of larger volumes – around 1000mL – is expected to be “especially vulnerable and will need careful management”, according to the TGA.
A TGA spokesperson said any patient who requires saline fluids will have access to these products regardless of the healthcare setting.
“We continue to manage the shortage and supply of IV fluids as a priority, as we understand these medicines are of critical importance. We are aware that supplies are limited and that equitable supply is important,” they said.
The TGA is collaborating with members of the National IV Fluid Response Group to develop strategies to help manage supply.
“The response group, which includes representatives from state and territory health departments, private hospitals and other health professional organisations, meets on a regular basis to monitor the supply situation of IV fluids during this shortage,” the spokesperson added.
“It also feeds back critical information about the shortage and important management actions to the health sector, including appropriate conservation strategies.”
The response group has recommended health providers consider building safety buffers using the newly approved products for smaller volumes of fluids if needed.
In August the Federal Government secured supply of more than 22 million additional IV fluid bags over a six-month.
Despite this, suppliers have told the TGA to expect supply constraints into next year.
More information on the shortage can be found here: https://www.tga.gov.au/about-IV-fluids-shortages#information-for-health-services