AHS dealing with sodium bicarbonate shortage
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EDMONTON — Alberta Health Services, along with other jurisdictions in North America, is facing a shortage of sodium bicarbonate injection, and is making efforts to minimize the impact to patients.
The shortage of the drug is due to a manufacturing issue by Hospira Inc., the company which produces the drug. Hospira is owned by Pfizer. The shortage was made more severe due to a recall of contaminated vials of the drug due to microbial growth detected during testing, leaving AHS with roughly one week of the drug left.
Sodium bicarbonate is primarily used in life-threatening situations when the blood becomes too acidic, such as septic shock or renal failure. The drug has also been used during open heart surgery and also for chemotherapy.
AHS says it is currently is working to reduce the effects of the shortage, including reserving the drug for use in critical situations, and working to prioritize procedures, and working with Health Canada to pursue alternative sources where possible.
