**Fiji**: Facing global supply constraints, Fiji’s Health Ministry continues monthly procurement of essential intravenous fluids to prevent shortages, employing conservation measures and sourcing from alternative manufacturers to sustain healthcare services nationwide.
Fiji continues to face challenges in securing intravenous (IV) fluids due to ongoing global supply constraints, prompting the Health Ministry to adopt a cautious and continuous procurement strategy, Health Minister Dr Atonio Lalabalavu told Parliament on 27 April 2025.
During the parliamentary session, Dr Lalabalavu responded to a query from Opposition Member of Parliament Rinesh Sharma, who questioned the need for the Fiji Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services (FPBS) to maintain monthly purchases of saline fluids despite an apparent absence of shortage. The Minister clarified that international supply issues necessitated ongoing, monthly procurement to prevent stock depletion.
Dr Lalabalavu explained that IV fluids such as Sodium Chloride 0.9 per cent (normal saline) and compound Sodium Lactate (Hartmann’s Solution) are classified as essential medicines critical to patient care in Fiji’s hospitals. They are used extensively for fluid replacement, resuscitation, and medication delivery. Fiji lacks domestic production of these fluids, relying entirely on imports.
“To avoid falling below critical stock levels, defined as less than three months’ supply, monthly purchases are made via faster procurement processes such as the Request for Quotation (RFQ) method,” Dr Lalabalavu said. “This is a precautionary measure to ensure uninterrupted supply while we await larger tender consignments.”
The global shortage impact has been significant. Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) confirmed on 4 March 2025 that major suppliers serving the Pacific region—including B Braun, Baxter, and Fresenius—are experiencing supply constraints expected to last throughout the year. These disruptions stem from increased demand, manufacturing delays, and shipping challenges.
To mitigate these challenges, FPBS has actively sourced supplies from alternative international manufacturers. A recent consignment of approximately 100,000 IV fluid units was scheduled to arrive on 27 April 2025, which the Health Minister noted should suffice to meet national needs for the next five to six months.
Conservation measures have been implemented across Fiji’s health facilities to manage the limited supply efficiently, while the Ministry continues to closely monitor global supply trends. FPBS currently supports more than 220 healthcare facilities nationwide and is committed to securing any available registered IV fluid brands to sustain patient care.
The ongoing efforts underscore the Health Ministry’s strategy to maintain essential medicine availability despite the global supply challenges shaping the market.
Source: Noah Wire Services
