WASHINGTON and BETHLEHEM, Pa., May 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- B. Braun Medical Inc., a leader in infusion therapy and pain management, today announced Solutions for Life, a $1 billion investment in new and enhanced IV therapy manufacturing facilities to help ensure a reliable and consistent supply of vital IV fluids that American health care providers need every day. The investments include a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Daytona Beach, FL, and modernizations to existing facilities in Irvine, CA, and Allentown, PA.

“As a family-owned medical device and pharmaceutical company, B. Braun believes in longevity, stability, and partnership. These core values drive our investments to help prevent future U.S. IV fluid shortages and our collaboration in working alongside policymakers, healthcare providers, and supply chain partners to deliver these life-saving fluids,” said Caroll H. Neubauer, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of B. Braun Medical Inc. “Solutions for Life is our commitment to helping ensure consistent supply of vital saline solutions and other IV fluids that hospitals and health systems depend on to treat patients.”

“IV fluids are a fundamental component of patient care to hydrate patients, administer drugs, and replace lost blood volume. In recent years, the U.S. market has seen destructive weather events and severe influenza seasons contributing to major nationwide IV fluid shortages. These shortages forced health care professionals and facilities to delay patient treatments or use alternate techniques,” says Maria Angela Karpf, MD, who oversees Medical Affairs as a Corporate Vice President for B. Braun Medical Inc.

Mr. Neubauer announced the Solutions for Life initiative today at a stakeholder briefing and panel discussion in Washington, D.C., which included legislative leaders and key partners across the healthcare supply chain.

“As Governor of Florida, I was proud to announce B. Braun’s plan to create a new facility in Daytona Beach, which is expected to bring hundreds of new jobs to the community,” said Senator Rick Scott (R-FL). “I’d like to thank B. Braun for continuing to invest in our state and create opportunities for Florida families, as well as their efforts to provide quality healthcare to Americans.”

“IV fluid shortages have the potential to cause serious complications for patients across the country, particularly in times of public health emergencies,” said Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA). “B. Braun is making an important investment to address this concern by expanding production capacity and improving the ability to deliver IV fluids when and where they are needed.”

“The IV fluid shortages in recent years significantly impacted us, especially nurses who experienced the personal heartache of telling patients and their caregivers that fluids were not available,” said Felicia Schaps, RN, president of the Infusion Nurses Society. “We welcome these investments to expand IV fluid production and, just as important, the opportunity for stakeholders across the healthcare system to come together to explore additional steps to prevent future shortages.”

Under Solutions for Life, B. Braun will:

• Create Additional Supply and Capacity
  • Expand capacity of critical IV fluid production at two large-scale IV fluid production facilities and expanded capacity to manufacture IV therapy devices:
    • A new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Daytona Beach, FL
    • Modernizations to our existing manufacturing facility in Irvine, CA.
    • Expansion of our IV therapy device manufacturing facility in Allentown, PA
  • Enhance patient and healthcare facility access to IV fluids by expanding supply geographically from three strategic U.S. locations:
    • A new distribution facility in Daytona Beach, FL
    • Enhancements to existing distribution facilities in Ontario, CA and Breinigsville, PA
• Promote Sustainability
  • As the only supplier to offer a full line of IV solution products free of PVC and DEHP, B. Braun’s IV fluid bags are safe for patients and the environment
  • B. Braun produces IV solutions responsibly, designing the highest quality IV fluid bags to be land-fill neutral
• Ensure Global Backup
  • B. Braun obtained FDA approval of IV fluids from European facilities should the need arise in the future.

Several years ago, B. Braun prioritized and began investments to support long-term and ongoing supply capacity. Discussions with hospitals, policymakers, supply-chain leaders and healthcare providers following Hurricane Maria in 2017 further cemented the Company’s motivation to expedite plans and take the lead to create sustainable and reliable solutions to help meet future IV fluid supply needs for the healthcare market.

The Solutions for Life initiative builds on B. Braun’s demonstrated commitment to patient and clinician safety, as well as environmental stewardship and sustainability, in all of its operations.

About B. Braun

B. Braun Medical Inc., a leader in infusion therapy and pain management, develops, manufactures, and markets innovative medical products and services to the healthcare industry. Other key product areas include nutrition, dialysis, pharmacy admixture devices, ostomy care and wound care. The company is committed to eliminating preventable treatment errors and enhancing patient, clinician and environmental safety. B. Braun Medical is headquartered in Bethlehem, Pa., and is part of the B. Braun Group of Companies in the U.S., which includes B. Braun Interventional Systems, Aesculap^® and CAPS^®.