The Nephron sterile compounding division has added 27 new products and installed automated equipment this year to address persistent drug shortages in the United States.  The damage left by Hurricane Maria to pharmaceutical plants in Puerto Rico, amplified the problem for US hospitals.  In an effort to help, Nephron has responded with 24-7 production of shortage products, including sterile small-volume parenteral solutions, such as Sodium Chloride 0.9% Injection bags.

Nephron officials recognize that persistent drug shortages pose a threat to the quality of patient care as discussed in the ASHP letter entitled "Healthcare Groups Urge Congressional Action on Drug Shortages."  The letter was signed by five national healthcare groups, the American Hospital Association, the American Society of Anesthesiologists, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the American Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices.

In an effort to respond to the current and future drug demand, Nephron has expanded their facility, and is actively recruiting employees with Current Good Manufacturing Practices pharmaceutical backgrounds throughout the US and Puerto Rico.  This inland facility was built to withstand damaging weather and has redundant energy sources.  As another measure, Nephron has started a major expansion of its sterile manufacturing facility which will come online in 2018.

"We will do everything in our power to prevent the delay of necessary patient treatments, and continue to develop shortage list products, with a focus on quality and sterile manufacturing," said Lou Kennedy, CEO.  "Our team is focused on these products, and will submit applications to the Agency, in an effort to remedy available product supply," she added.