Shortage of GE contrast media for CT imaging reported

Posted on: 5/13/22

COVID-19 shutdowns in Shanghai, China, have caused a significant global shortage of GE Healthcare’s iohexol and iodixanol intravenous contrast media products for computed tomography imaging.

On a recent call with the American Hospital Association, a GE Healthcare official said that the Shanghai facility returned to 25% production capacity as of this week and that it hopes to reach 50% capacity within the next week. GE Healthcare said that it has moved some production to a plant in Cork, Ireland, and has begun sending product to the U.S. by air to speed deliveries. However, normal production is not expected to resume until late June. 

GE Healthcare said it expects product supply availability to improve the week of May 23, but until then a 20% allocation level has been established. The shortage is expected to continue until late June. In addition, GE Healthcare said immediate production capacity and resources have been allocated to produce primarily a single stock keeping unit (SKU), its 100ml vial of iohexol. The product number is Y-542, and the NDC is 00407-1414-91. GE recommends all orders should be placed for this product in the near term. Similarly, on the call GE Healthcare noted that it is only producing a single SKU of iodixanol, but it did not provide the product number or NDC.

In addition, the GE official said if a critical need exists, hospitals should reach out to their local GE representative and that allocations are being made on a case-by-case basis. For other questions on repackaging and dosing information, hospitals should contact GE’s medical affairs team. 

Mitigation efforts could include:

• Consider creating a cross-divisional team made up of radiology, pharmacy, supply chain, operations, and other pertinent departments to address response. 
• Continuously evaluate the amount of on-hand inventory and burn rate – not just for the affected contrast but for other replacement contrasts as well as smaller syringes. 
• Identify and communicate opportunities to reduce waste across all divisions. 
• Identify other means of securing contrast media by working with your supply chain and procurement divisions (e.g., alternative wholesalers/distributors). 
• Change dosing protocols with input from radiology, ordering physicians (including emergency department physicians, cardiologists, and outpatient imaging providers), and leadership to meet patient needs and balance the amount of contrast needed with the quality of imaging. 
• Identify priority scans and determine if an alternate imaging media can be used. 
• Reschedule/delay follow-up scans when appropriate to do so.  
• Develop a communications plan to affected departments, providers, and potentially patients if appropriate. 

Additional resources: 

• American College of Radiology Committee on Drugs and Contrast Media
• AHA and AHRMM
• American Society of Health System Pharmacists
• HealthImaging
• FDA drug shortage list

(Patrice Greenawalt)