Animal Hospitals Short on IV Fluids and Surgical Scrubs? BAPHIQ: Supply is Stable

(Central News Agency reporter Wang Shu-fen, Taipei, 23rd) Recently, veterinarians have reported on social media that "IV fluids and surgical scrub solutions needed by animal hospitals are starting to run out again." The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Agency (BAPHIQ) under the Ministry of Agriculture stated today that after investigation, the supply of related medicines is currently stable and there is no shortage.

BAPHIQ issued a press release regarding the public's concern over the supply of IV fluids for pet medical use. Currently, for commonly used clinical treatments such as Ringer's solution and most other IV fluid products, there are veterinary drug products available. The overall supply is stable, and there is no stock out.

Furthermore, the external mention that related items were deleted in the April 17th announcement amending the "Categories of Human Drugs for Use by Veterinarians (Assistants) in the Treatment of Dogs, Cats, and Non-economic Animals" is a misunderstanding. Such drugs are supplied through veterinary channels, not affected by this announcement's adjustment.

BAPHIQ stated that external surgical scrub solutions are not human prescription drugs. If veterinarians use them for hand disinfection, it is an operational need for medical personnel and can be purchased through general channels.

Regarding the addition of surgical scrubs to the human drug category, BAPHIQ said it will be included in the special evaluation group meeting expected to be held in May. The Veterinary Association will collect the usage needs of veterinarians in their jurisdictions, submit an application to BAPHIQ to include it in the human drug category, and send the data to the special evaluation group (composed of FDA, CDC, veterinary, and pharmacology experts and scholars) for review. If approved by the meeting, it can be included.

BAPHIQ emphasized that veterinary drugs are designed specifically for animals and are approved for market after relevant testing and safety trials. Human drugs are used supplementarily by veterinarians based on their professional judgment when veterinary drugs are insufficient. The system is designed to gradually establish a stable and safe medication system while ensuring uninterrupted animal medical care.

BAPHIQ stated that it will continue to collect clinical opinions in the future, rollingly review the human drug items that animals can use through an expert review mechanism, and study the relaxation of usage flexibility. At the same time, it will compile information on obtaining related drugs and provide it to the Veterinary Association to assist in informing members, facilitating the clinical end's grasp of drug sources. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150423

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