FDA Says Will Allow Import of Infant Nutritional Drug

The Food and Drug Administration has revealed that it will be allowing import of intravenous drugs that are essential to nourish premature infants even as the US is facing a national shortage of these drugs.

The shortage of drugs used in total parenteral nutrition has come about after the shutdown of American Regent, which was the main US manufacturer. The FDA said the shortage would be overcome by importing the ingredients used in total parenteral nutrition from a Fresenius Kabi plant in Norway.

The injectable formula is used to feed premature infants, cancer patients and other vulnerable patient groups. The import of drugs used in this food solution means that the total number of imports allowed by the FDA now stands at 17.

"Since the onset of these shortages, the FDA has been very concerned about the dwindling supply of injectable nutrition products and the effect this is having on children's hospitals treating vulnerable patients," said a statement issued by Valerie Jensen, associate director of the FDA's drug shortages program. "We believe the import of these injectable nutrition drugs is going to meet current supply needs over the coming weeks."

Source: Medindia