IV Contrast Media

Due to the lockdown imposed by the local authorities to contain the recent outbreak of COVID-19 in the city of Shanghai, China, the GE Healthcare production facility for iodinated contrast media in Shanghai experienced an unexpected, temporary shutdown. This shutdown has created supply pressure on Omnipaque™ (iohexol) products.

The Supply Chain Resource Council (SCRC) has issued a special report highlighting the expanding shortage of GE Healthcare contrast media. We're providing the report to AHRMM members along with the formal announcement from GE Healthcare regarding contrast availability. Included in the Supply Chain Resource Council (SCRC) report are conservation tactics from the field that we are sharing to inform your strategies.

More information:

• GE Medical Affairs Contact Information
   
• Statement from the American College of Radiology Committee on Drugs and Contrast Media
   
• ASHP Current Drug Shortage Bulletins - Iohexol Injection. The website contains Alternative Agents & Management information.
   
• FDA Drug Shortage Lists:
  • Iodixanol (Visipaque) Injection
  • Iohexol (Omnipaque) Injection
     
• Some hospitals are working with infection control to get more supply from what is normally a single use vial of contrast; using at CT scan sites. Product needs to be repackage in a sterile pharmacy environment and not try to use a single use bag on two patients in the radiology suite. CDC guidance and USP guidance require that it be done in the sterile environment to reduce the chance of contamination.

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