Global healthcare company Fresenius Kabi will introduce a portfolio of generic contrast agents in the U.S. to counter shortages of contrast media due to COVID-19-related supply chain disruptions.
The Germany-based company will start with the immediate launch of iodixanol, one of the contrast agents that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has listed as being in short supply in the U.S. Iodixanol is a generic iso-osmolar, dimeric iodinated contrast agent that is used during CT scans.
The current shortage of contrast media began in May, when a manufacturing plant in Shanghai, China operated by GE Healthcare was shut down due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in the city. Production at the facility has returned to normal, but many hospitals continue to look for alternatives for agents including iodixanol and iohexol.
