Supply Issues ICU Medical Blood Gas Syringes (ICN 3352)

• The supply issue with blood gas syringe products from ICU Medical is continuing.
• Further to the previous communication, the supplier has advised that production recovery is progressing, with full global backorder recovery expected by May 2027 at the latest.
• Recovery timelines will vary across the product range.
• The underlying cause was a heparin supply constraint, which impacted the manufacturer’s ability to build planned bridge stock ahead of a scheduled manufacturing site transfer.
• While the heparin issue was resolved several months ago, it had already affected stock availability during the site transition period.
• One further product code is now affected and subject to Protect Demand Management:
  • FMC85028.
• Seven affected product codes are now suspended and unavailable to order. Once these are removed from suspension they will be also placed on Protect Demand Management.
• Eight product codes are now affected in total.
• FMC85028 is available to order through NHS Supply Chain. However, trusts are allocated a maximum daily quantity or “threshold” to ensure fair supply of available stock across the NHS.
• Potential indirect alternative products are available to order through our online catalogue for the affected products. However, some of these products may also become subject to intermittent supply with the increase in demand.
• See our Downloads▼ section to access the product listing for further information on the affected product codes and potential alternatives, for a full list of product codes subject to Protect Demand Management and to view the supplier’s customer letter.
• We will continue to review the stock to minimise further disruption and aim to update the ICN by 30 September 2026.

Change:

• The supplier ICU Medical has informed us of a supply issue with its blood gas syringe products.
• There are seven product codes affected:
  • FWC041, FWC077, FWC199, FWC411, FWC004, FWC412 and KFK951.
• The supply issue is due to supplier manufacturing issues.
• ICU Medical recently faced supply issues in its blood gas syringe portfolio due to production line validation after moving manufacturing to a new site. Validation is now complete, and full production has resumed.
• During the disruption, products were manually allocated to maintain supply. Ongoing merger integration and warehouse consolidation have also caused additional logistical challenges affecting normal operations.

Impact:          

• FWC041, FWC077, FWC199 and FWC411 are currently suspended.
• FWC004, FWC412 and KFK951 are currently available whilst stock lasts, once the stock is depleted the product codes will be unavailable to order.
• Potential indirect alternative products are available to order through our online catalogue.
• However, some of these products may also be subject to intermittent supply
• We are currently sourcing further alternatives and updates will be made to the product listing as soon as possible.
• See our Downloads ▼ section to access the product listing for further information on the affected product codes and potential alternatives.
• The supply issue is anticipated to be resolved by 1 October 2026.

Next Steps:              

• Customers are advised to log into our website to view the product listing for further information on the affected product codes and potential alternatives.
• We will update the ICN when we have further information.
• If you have any further questions, please contact your local NHS Supply Chain Customer Services Advisor.

Please note that due to the clinical nature of these alternative products we advise you to consult your own clinical experts to ensure suitability for your organisations use of these products.