Supply Issues Rocket Medical Drainage Systems and Bottles FET1544, FET1546, FSW706 and FSW708 (ICN 3034)

Change:

• The supplier Rocket Medical has informed us of a supply issue with its Drainage Catheter System products.
• There are four product codes affected:
  • FET1544 – Indwelling Pleural Catheter
  • FET1546 – Indwelling Pleural Catheter
  • FSW706 – Chest drain unit
  • FSW708 – Chest drain unit.
• The supply issue is due to reduced manufacturing capabilities.
• Steris’s Gamma sterilization plants experienced a serious incident recently, leading to an immediate shutdown. The closure is expected to last 2–3 weeks, affecting multiple products that cannot be sterilized and dispatched to customers.
• Rocket Medical has temporarily shifted sterilization to an alternative facility, but it can only handle 25% of the volume required by NHS Supply Chain.
• Due to this ongoing supply issue some products are now being threshold managed as they are subject to Protect Demand Management.

Impact:          

• One product is currently unavailable:
  • FSW708.
• Three products are subject to Protect Demand Management:
  • FET1544, FSW706 and FET1546.
• Products subject to Protect Demand Management are 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.
• We are currently sourcing further alternatives and updates will be made to the product listing as soon as possible.
• Customers are advised to speak with clinical experts to discuss using alternative products offered that are not compatible with Rocket products.
• Alternative bottles are not compatible with the Rocket Drains if a patient already has one in situ. If a new chest drain is needed, the clinical team will need to select a different drainage catheter as well as the bottle. BARD PLEURX and PFM Asept are our clinically selected alternatives in this instance:
  • Pleural and Ascites Drainage – pfm medical UK Ltd:
    • FSQ2766 – ASEPT Catheter Insertion Pleural Drainage System
    • FSQ2822 – ASEPT Catheter Insertion Peritoneal Drainage System
    • FSW1586 – ASEPT Catheter Insertion 1000ml High Vacuum Drainage Bottle with Dressing and Procedure Pack
    • FSQ3078 – ASEPT Catheter Insertion 600ml High Vacuum Drainage Bottle with Dressing and Procedure Pack
  • PleurX™ Pleural Catheter System:
    • FCB13666 – Catheter – Drainage (IR) Pleurx drainage kit with 500ml btl
    • FCB13667 – Catheter – Drainage (IR) Pleurx drainage kit with 1000ml btl
    • FCB13663 – Catheter – Drainage (IR) Pleurx vacuum bottle with drain 1000ml
    • FCB13662 – Catheter – Drainage (IR) Pleurx vacuum bottle with drain 500ml
    • FRB13072 – Catheter – Drainage (IR) Pleurx pleural mini kit.
• 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 22 August 2025.

Next Steps:              

• Customers are advised to log into our website to view the direct and potential indirect alternative products.
• The continuing supply issue is being monitored in conjunction with the supplier and we will continue to review the stock situation 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.