A Pfizer plant has suffered extensive damage after a tornado ripped through the building, which could lead to shortages of medical supplies nationwide.
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The Rocky Mount facility, one of the largest drug manufacturing facilities in the world, is responsible for producing nearly 25 percent of Pfizer’s sterile injectable medicines used in U.S. hospitals, the company’s website states. The products the factory produces include anesthesia, painkillers, therapeutics, anti-infectives and muscle relaxants.
Erin Fox — an associate chief pharmacy officer at University of Utah Health who monitors drug shortages — toldCBS Newsthat the damage “will likely lead to long-term shortages while Pfizer works to either move production to other sites or rebuilds.”
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A drug shortage won’t happen overnight though, Mariana Socal — associate scientist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health — told theWall Street Journal, noting that for the time being, hospitals can access supplies that have already been manufactured and are in transport.
However, the impact of the tornado will likely be felt in coming weeks. “In a matter of weeks or months the supply can just be depleted if other plants or manufacturers can’t expand their production,” Socal added.
It’s not yet clear which drugs were impacted, which drugs may be in shortage or how long a shortage could last. Pfizer said they are still assessing the damage and how it will impact production. The Rocky Mount site is currently closed until further notice.
“Pfizer is committed to rapidly restoring full function to the site, which plays a critical role in the U.S. healthcare system,” the company said Friday. “After an initial assessment, there does not appear to be any major damage to the medicine production areas.”
source: people.com
