Xavier Becerra, Secretary and Deputy Secretary & Andrea Palm, Deputy Secretary | https://www.hhs.gov/about/leadership/xavier-becerra.html https://www.hhs.gov/about/leadership/andrea-palm.html
On August 16, 2024, Secretary Becerra addressed the disruptions in the availability of BD BACTEC™ blood culture media bottles, emphasizing the mission of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure the health and well-being of all Americans. This includes ensuring that healthcare providers and facilities have the necessary tools to provide care.
"We are aware of disruptions in the availability of BD BACTEC™ blood culture media bottles, which could impact clinical practices for healthcare providers and laboratories," stated Secretary Becerra. He recommended that healthcare providers, laboratory professionals, and healthcare facility administrators prioritize and conserve these bottles according to FDA's published recommendations during this shortage. Furthermore, he encouraged those affected by this shortage, along with state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments, to assess their situations and develop plans to mitigate potential impacts on patient care.
HHS is collaborating closely with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), the manufacturer, and other partners to expedite a resolution to this shortage. This includes expediting any necessary reviews such as shelf-life extensions, meeting with alternative suppliers, and communicating best practices for conservation strategies. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Health Alert Network Health Advisory with additional resources aimed at mitigating potential impacts on patient care. Additionally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is coordinating with partner agencies and the hospital industry to monitor the disruption while providing updates to hospitals.
Secretary Becerra assured that actions are being taken swiftly to mitigate and resolve these disruptions. "The Biden-Harris Administration will continue to pull every lever available to support healthcare providers and protect the safety of patients."