The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday announced that an emergency shipment of baby formula equivalent to 5 million 8-ounce bottles — more than triple the amount delivered this week on the first two Operation Fly Formula flights — is being readied in Europe.
The news follows completion of a FedEx delivery for the government, the FDA informing a second foreign manufacturer it could also use new regulatory flexibility to import infant formula and lawmakers seeking answers on how to...
Policy analysts say a series of U.S. trade restrictions, including ones engineered under the Trump administration, and lean manufacturing practices help explain why stores can’t easily replenish stocks of baby formula. The taxes and extra regulatory hoops make it expensive and difficult to import the specialized baby food.
The U.S. produces 98% of the infant formula it consumes, but that self-sufficiency is being tested by limited availability of ingredients because of supply chain disruptions,...
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/protectionism-red-tape-hinder-baby-formula-resupply-analysts-say
Abbott Laboratories has turned to air cargo to help overcome a domestic shortage of infant formula exacerbated by a February recall due to suspected contamination and the subsequent shutdown of its Sturgis, Michigan, plant.
The beleaguered maker of Similac and other formula brands said Friday it is taking a number of steps to alleviate formula supply problems, with a focus on increasing production at its Cootehill, Ireland, facility. It has air shipped millions of cans of infant formula powder...
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/abbott-ramps-up-air-cargo-imports-of-infant-formula
This is an excerpt from Medically Necessary, a health care supply chain newsletter. Subscribe here.
The plan: Last week, the White House released an ambitious plan to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Diagnostic testing will play an enormous role in achieving the plan’s goals.
The plan will require large employers to get workers vaccinated or tested weekly and encourages entertainment venues and schools to require frequent testing.
It’s difficult to predict how the plan will affect demand for...
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/questions-remain-over-feasibility-of-white-house-testing-goals
This is an excerpt from Medically Necessary, a health care supply chain newsletter. Subscribe here.
The problem: Companies making masks, swabs and diagnostic tests are laying off or furloughing thousands of workers as demand for their products is dropping quickly. News reports have tallied nearly 8,000 layoffs at various companies due to declining demand.
Masking: The American Mask Manufacturers Association, a trade group representing about 30 smaller PPE producers, reported that by the end of...
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/thousands-laid-off-as-covid-driven-demand-drops