The AMA is calling for a co-ordinated national approach underpinned by transparency on IV fluid shortages which could cause a major disruption to Australia's health system, including hospitals, non-urban health services and general practice. Urgent action is needed to develop a national strategy to strengthen every part of Australia's medical supply pipeline.
The AMA is calling for an urgent, nationally coordinated, response to the shortage of intravenous (IV) fluids.
IV fluids are fundamental to health care, not only for surgery and critical care, but for across all hospitals - particularly in non-urban areas - and primary care and general practice.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration issued a shortage alert on Friday last week, saying it expected IV fluid products "to be constrained throughout 2024". This has been followed by warnings issued by state and territory health departments, and individual hospitals and health services.
AMA President Professor Robson said that the IV fluid shortage should be treated as an issue of the highest national priority for our health system.
"At the moment there is enormous uncertainty about supply and how this will affect health care," Professor Robson said.
"Patients, doctors, and everyone involved in healthcare needs clear visibility of the situation."
"We know that the TGA is working with states and territories to make sure our hospitals have enough supply, but the level of awareness among clinicians appears to be low and there is no doubt that doctors need more information about the current situation - particularly as it looks like this situation will last for some months."
"Medicine shortages have been an ongoing issue for Australia in recent years. The TGA is doing a good job coordinating responses to serious shortages, but what's missing is a comprehensive strategy to ensure medicines supply at all stages of the pipeline.
"We want a strategy that will prevent shortages rather than constantly responding to them."
The AMA wants to know how the shortage has affected you.
