B. Braun Medical Factory in Florida Reopens

B. Braun Medical's IV fluid manufacturing facility in Daytona Beach, Florida, has reopened after briefly shutting down due to Hurricane Milton, which left it largely undamaged. The company had proactively relocated over 1.5 million IV bags to northern Florida with the federal government's assistance prior to the storm. The reopening is crucial as hospitals are currently facing an IV fluid shortage stemming from Hurricane Helene, which severely impacted Baxter International's North Carolina plant, responsible for 60% of the U.S. IV supply. Baxter has limited customer orders and urged healthcare providers to conserve fluids until production stabilizes, while also increasing output at alternative facilities. Furthermore, Baxter is collaborating with federal agencies for temporary imports and aims to resume North Carolina production by year-end. B. Braun is also ramping up production at its California site to help alleviate the ongoing shortages.