Pfizer reported on Wednesday that a tornado damaged its Rocky Mount, North Carolina, factory, which is one of the world’s largest sterile injectable product plants.
The pharmaceutical was evaluating the situation to determine the impact on output. The statement also said that the company’s workers at the scene were able to flee and were eventually unharmed.
The plant concentrates on producing a range of goods such anti-infectives, neuromuscular blockers, as well as vials and syringes. It produces roughly 30% of all sterile injectables used in U.S. hospitals and, according to Pfizer’s website, has approximately 4,500 people working there.
The factory also produces anesthetics, antibiotics, and medications for surgical procedures. The latter are utilized in surgical procedures or intensive care units for patients who are put on ventilators, according to Mike Ganio, a researcher at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists who focuses on medication shortages.
While Pfizer relocates manufacturing to new facilities or rebuilds, this means there will probably be some long-term shortages – although it is unclear exactly which medications would be subject to a shortage and how long that scarcity will last.
Recently, hospitals have already seen shortages of items like local anesthetics, painkillers, and chemotherapy treatments. But drug shortages have an effect outside of hospitals as well, as they affect ordinary medical treatment that is provided in pharmacies and doctor’s offices.
According to the University of Utah medication Information Service, there were 309 current medication shortages in the United States as of the end of June. The number has increased from 295 at the end of previous year and is now the most since 2014.
The damage in North Carolina was consistent with an EF3 tornado with wind speeds up to 150 mph, the National Weather Service stated in a tweet.
