Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) Share this | Hansard source

I am very happy to do that. I understand that across Australia the shortage of saline products has been ongoing since early 2023 but has recently worsened. This is in part due to the major sponsor, Baxter, experiencing delays in procurement of overseas registered saline since May/June 2024. A delayed shipment for another supplier has also contributed to the worsening shortage and, in addition, sponsors have reported a further increase in demand in recent months as jurisdictions began to experience low stock levels.

There have been a number of steps that have been taken, including the ones that I just outlined in answer to your previous question, which was around the role of the TGA has taken to approve additional suppliers; asking IV fluid suppliers if they need assistance in addressing delays in shipping and unloading containers at docks; asking Baxter and other sponsors of Australian registered IV fluid if any regulatory actions could assist with increasing supply; increasing national coordination of monitoring of supply; publishing a web statement and information about the shortages and overseas registered alternatives. I have some more which— (Time expired)