Supply Issues ICU Medical International Ltd Blood Gas Syringes FWC427 and FWC426 (ICN 2722)

• The supply issue with Blood Gas Syringes from ICU Medical International Ltd is continuing.
• FWC427 and FWC426 remain suspended and unavailable to order.
• Once the suspension is lifted, the products will be subject to Protect Demand Management.
• The products will be still available, but trusts are allocated a maximum daily quantity or “threshold” to ensure fair supply of available stock across the NHS.
• The supply issue is now anticipated to be resolved by 14 April 2025.

• The supply issue with Blood Gas Syringes from ICU Medical International Ltd is continuing.
• One previously affected product code is now suspended and unavailable to order:
  • FWC426.
• FWC427 remains suspended, once stock is received and suspension lifted it will become subject to Protect Demand Management.
• Two product codes are now affected in total.
• The additional alternatives matrix has been updated.
• The supply issue is now anticipated to be resolved by 17 March 2025.

• The supply issue with Blood Gas Syringes from ICU Medical International Ltd has improved.
• FWC004, FWC014, FWC077, FWC411 and FWC426 are now available to order for all trusts.
• FWC427 is currently suspended and unavailable to order, when no longer suspended it will become subject to Protect Demand Management.
• The additional alternatives matrix has been updated.
• Protect Demand Managed products are available to order however, trusts are allocated a maximum daily quantity or “threshold” to ensure fair supply of available stock across the NHS.
• The supply issue is now anticipated to be resolved by 20 February 2025.

• The supply issue with Blood Gas Syringes from ICU Medical International Ltd is continuing.
• FWC004, FWC014, FWC077, FWC411, FWC426 and FWC427 remain subject to Protect Demand management.
• Indirect alternative FWC124 remains subject to Protect Demand Management due to increasing demand.
• Protect Demand Managed products are available to order however, trusts are allocated a maximum daily quantity or “threshold” to ensure fair supply of available stock across the NHS.
• Non-safety alternative products are available, however in accordance with Safer Sharps guidance, these should only be used as a last resort when a safety device is not suitable.
• The supply issue is now anticipated to be resolved by 24 January 2025.

• The supply issue with Blood Gas Syringes from ICU Medical International Ltd is continuing.
• Indirect alternative FWC124 has also been placed on Protect Demand Management due to increasing demand.
• FWC004, FWC014, FWC077, FWC411, FWC426 and FWC427 remain subject to Protect Demand management.
• Protect Demand Managed products are available to order however, trusts are allocated a maximum daily quantity or “threshold” to ensure fair supply of available stock across the NHS.
• Non-safety alternative products are available, however in accordance with Safer Sharps guidance, these should only be used as a last resort when a safety device is not suitable.
• The supply issue is still anticipated to be resolved by 10 January 2025.

• The supply issue with Blood Gas Syringes from ICU Medical International Ltd is continuing.
• FWC004, FWC014, FWC077, FWC411, FWC426 and FWC427 remain subject to Protect Demand management.
• Trusts are allocated a maximum daily quantity or “threshold” to ensure fair supply of available stock across the NHS.
• Non-safety alternative products are available, however in accordance with Safer Sharps guidance, these should only be used as a last resort when a safety device is not suitable.
• The supply issue is now anticipated to be resolved by 10 January 2025.

• The supply issue with Blood Gas Syringes from ICU Medical International Ltd is continuing.
• We have updated our advice regarding non-safety alternative products.
• Non-safety alternative products are available, however in accordance with Safer Sharps guidance, these should only be used as a last resort when a safety device is not suitable.
• This is the recommended guidance from NHS England.
• The supply issue is now anticipated to be resolved by 4 December 2024.

• The supply issue with Blood Gas Syringes from ICU Medical International Ltd is continuing.
• We have updated our advice regarding non-safety alternative products.
• Non-safety alternative products are available, however in accordance with Safer Sharps guidance, these should only be used as a last resort when a safety device is not suitable.
• This is the recommended guidance from NHS England.

Change:

• The supplier ICU Medical International Ltd has informed us of a supply issue with its Blood Gas Syringes.
• There are six product codes affected.
• The supply issue is caused by shipping delays due to port closures in the USA.
• There is potential impact to trusts due to the complexities of the available alternatives and their compatibility with trust lab blood gas analysers.
• Due to this ongoing supply issue, all affected product codes are now being threshold managed and are subject to Protect Demand Management.

Impact:

• The affected product codes are currently experiencing intermittent supply, and they are being demand managed to maintain supply of the limited stock we have currently.
• Protect Demand Managed products are available to order however, trusts are allocated a maximum daily quantity or “threshold” to ensure fair supply of available stock across the NHS.
• We are working to increase stock of these products and will update this ICN with further information when it becomes available.
• However, it is very likely trusts will have to adapt quickly and use alternatives for these products. We have added an additional product matrix with further potential alternatives to help customers.
• FWC426 is scheduled for suspension in the coming days due to low stock levels. We encourage users to prioritise exploring the alternative options provided to minimise any impact should stock become depleted.
• Alternative products from other suppliers are available to order through our online catalogue, but these require a clinical decision at trust level due to differences with lab blood gas analysers.
• ICU Medical suggests considering FWC124, a Blood Gas Syringe without a needle, with a Safety Hypodermic needle. This option requires clinical review, and the needle must be purchased separately. We have included a separate tab on the alternatives matrix to detail all Safety Hypodermic needles available to purchase through our catalogue.
• Non-safety needle alternatives are also available for consideration.
• Please note that some alternative products may also have intermittent supply.
• See our Downloads ▼ section to access the product listing and product matrix for further information on the affected product codes and potential alternatives and for a full list of codes subject to Protect Demand Management.
• The supply issue is expected to be resolved by 27 November 2024.

Next Steps:   

• Customers are advised to log into our website to view the product listing and additional product matrix for potential alternative products.
• Customers are advised to log into our website to view the product codes currently subject to Protect Demand Management.
• Local stock takes are also recommended to understand internal stock position.
• We will continue to monitor the stock situation with the supplier to minimise further disruption and update this ICN with the latest information as it becomes available.
• However, as this is currently a disrupted market and supply is subject to rapid change, the alternatives offered may also be experiencing temporary supply issues and therefore, customers may need to consider clinically reviewing all additional alternatives provided.
• 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.