Photo Credit: Long, T. (2023). A section of a Pfizer facility in Rocky Mounty sustained heavy tornado damage Wednesday, July, 19, 2023. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone who has been impacted by the tornado that hit Rocky Mount, NC last Wednesday. First and foremost, we are happy that all of our Pfizer colleagues are safe after enduring this event. Pfizer reports that crews are working around-the-clock to assess the structural integrity of the buildings and to move medicine to nearby sites for storage.1
Pfizer’s Rocky Mount Facility has been a long-time producer for sterile injectables as 25 percent of the company’s sterile injectables are manufactured at the site.1 Moreover, eight percent of the sterile injectables used in U.S. hospitals are manufactured at this site, which include anesthesia, analgesia, therapeutics, anti-infectives and neuromuscular blockers.1,2 FDA has stepped in to support Pfizer to ensure that hospitals and supply chain are not impacted. This continues to be a dynamic situation, and FDA and Pfizer will be providing updates as they become available.
According to the FDA, the Rocky Mount facility is the sole source for less than 10 drugs. For those drugs that are at risk, or may already be in short supply, FDA has initiated mitigation steps to assist and look for additional resources to potentially ramp up production.2
Look towards EMMA International for updates as this situation unfolds. This disaster serves as a reminder that pharmaceutical development has become more demanding than ever. The team at EMMA International is available to provide support at any stage of pharmaceutical manufacturing.
If you need support on any projects for your operations, or just simply need additional resources for short or long term initiatives, the team of experts at EMMA International can help! Contact us today at info@emmainternational.com or by calling 248-987-4497.
Resources:
[1] Pfizer. (July 21, 2023). Pfizer Announces Post-Tornado Relief Plans for Rocky Mount Community and Manufacturing Facility. Retrieved July 22, 2023. https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-announces-post-tornado-relief-plans-rocky-mount
[2] FDA. (July 21, 2023). FDA Provides Update Regarding Storm Damage at Pfizer Facility in North Carolina. Retrieved July 22, 2023. https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-provides-update-regarding-storm-damage-pfizer-facility-north-carolina?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
[3] Travis Long, Charlotte Observer. (July 23, 2023). Drone photos show extensive tornado damage to Pfizer plant in Rocky Mount, NC. Retrieved July 24, 2023. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article277492733.html.
