AP Top NewsGeneral NewsMedicationNatural disastersPfizer IncPrescription drugsRobert CaliffRocky MountTornadoesU.S. Food and Drug AdministrationU.S. News FDA Announces Tornado Impact on Pfizer Facility Unlikely to Cause Significant Drug Supply Disruptions by Sophia Chen July 22, 2023 written by Sophia Chen July 22, 2023 6 comments Bookmark 93 A Pfizer pharmaceutical factory in eastern North Carolina was hit by a tornado last Wednesday, resulting in substantial damage to its storage facility. However, according to a company statement on Friday, the medicine production areas were largely spared. The capacity of the pharmaceutical company to recover production equipment and essential resources may alleviate the anticipated serious hit to an already burdened system, as the U.S. copes with ongoing drug shortages. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf stated on Friday, “Immediate significant impacts on the supply chain are not anticipated since the products are currently held in hospitals and within the distribution system.” An EF3 tornado swept across the area near Rocky Mount last Wednesday, removing the roof of a Pfizer plant, which manufactures nearly a quarter of all sterile injectable medications used in U.S. hospitals, as stated by the pharmaceutical company. Pfizer confirmed on Friday that the primary damage at its 1.4 million square foot factory was sustained by a warehouse that stores raw materials, packaging supplies, and completed medicines awaiting distribution. The company’s preliminary inspection indicated no significant damage to the medicine manufacturing sections, and all 3,200 local employees have been accounted for and are safe. Pfizer’s Chairman and CEO Dr. Albert Bourla said the staff is expediting the relocation of products to alternative storage facilities and identifying sources to promptly replace raw materials lost due to the storm. The pharmaceutical company is also considering other manufacturing sites within its U.S. network to compensate for production shortfalls while the North Carolina facility undergoes repair. According to Califf, the FDA’s initial examination revealed fewer than 10 drugs for which Pfizer’s North Carolina plant is the exclusive supplier in the U.S. market. The Rocky Mount plant is responsible for manufacturing anesthesia and various other essential drugs for surgical procedures, but does not produce or store Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine or Comirnaty and Paxlovid treatments. The facility alone contributes nearly 8% of all sterile injectables used in U.S. hospitals, as per Pfizer’s website. Califf confirmed that the FDA is set to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the potentially affected products and the existing domestic supply of those medications. He also assured that a considerable supply of the damaged drugs should be accessible in other Pfizer warehouses. Hannah Schoenbaum is a participating journalist in the Big Big News/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit organization that positions journalists in local newsrooms to report on underreported topics. Table of Contents Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Pfizer plant tornado damageWhat parts of the Pfizer plant were most affected by the tornado?What was the impact on the medicine production areas of the Pfizer plant?How will this incident affect the drug supply in the United States?What steps is Pfizer taking following the tornado damage?Does the damaged plant produce the COVID-19 vaccine?Were any employees harmed during the tornado?More about Pfizer plant tornado damage Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Pfizer plant tornado damage What parts of the Pfizer plant were most affected by the tornado? The tornado mainly affected the storage facility of the Pfizer plant in North Carolina, which housed raw materials, packaging supplies, and completed medicines awaiting distribution. What was the impact on the medicine production areas of the Pfizer plant? According to Pfizer, the medicine production areas were largely unaffected by the tornado. How will this incident affect the drug supply in the United States? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that they do not expect immediate significant impacts on the drug supply since products are already distributed in hospitals and within the distribution system. What steps is Pfizer taking following the tornado damage? Pfizer is rushing products to alternative storage facilities, identifying sources to replace lost raw materials, and considering other manufacturing sites within its U.S. network to compensate for production shortfalls. Does the damaged plant produce the COVID-19 vaccine? No, the plant does not produce or store Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine or the Comirnaty and Paxlovid treatments. Were any employees harmed during the tornado? No, all 3,200 local employees of the Pfizer plant have been accounted for and are safe. More about Pfizer plant tornado damage Pfizer U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Information about Tornadoes Report for America Information about Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine You Might Be Interested In Hostages released by Hamas have returned to Israel, Israeli military says Hawaii officials prepare for thousands of people displaced by fires. Follow along for live updates Key Suspect Confesses to 2005 Killing of Natalee Holloway in Aruba, Enters Plea Agreement in Extortion Case Americans Celebrate Juneteenth, Reflect on the End of Slavery after the Civil War Live updates | Israeli warplanes hit refugee camps in Gaza Strip, killing scores Philippines says Chinese coast guard assaulted its vessels with water cannons for a second day AP Top Newsdrug supplyGeneral NewsMedicationNatural disastersPfizerPfizer IncPrescription drugsRobert CaliffRocky Mounttornado damageTornadoesU.S. Food and Drug Administration Share 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail Sophia Chen Follow Author Sophia Chen is a lifestyle journalist who covers the latest trends and developments in the world of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle. She enjoys exploring new fashion and beauty trends, and she is always on the lookout for new products and experiences to share with her readers. previous post Alabama Legislators Deny the Formation of a Second Predominantly Black Congressional District next post A Serial Killer Encountered: A Tip, 12 Years Later, Leads to Breakthrough in Case You may also like Bookmark A woman who burned Wyoming’s only full-service abortion... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Argument over Christmas gifts turns deadly as 14-year-old... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Danny Masterson sent to state prison to serve... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Hong Kong man jailed for 6 years after... December 28, 2023 Bookmark AP concludes at least hundreds died in floods... December 28, 2023 Bookmark Live updates | Israeli forces raid a West... December 28, 2023 6 comments PharmGuy83 July 22, 2023 - 4:14 am As someone working in pharma, let me tell ya, this could’ve been a disaster. Good thing it was the storage area not production. Though, storage is important too. Reply SammyJ July 22, 2023 - 5:58 am Wow, nature really can throw a curveball, can’t it? Hope they manage to get back up and running soon. Reply SueEllen July 22, 2023 - 8:48 am Thank god they don’t make the COVID vaccine there, can you imagine the chaos. Reply Jim Robertson July 22, 2023 - 10:18 am just glad that everyone’s safe after the storm! you can replace buildings and equipment but not lives, hope everything’s back to normal soon Reply Geoff R. July 22, 2023 - 6:37 pm i didn’t know pfizer had such a big plant in NC. you learn something new everyday. Reply Laura_M July 22, 2023 - 10:38 pm phew! Had me worried for a bit there. My hospital relies heavily on these meds. Keep up the good work, Pfizer! Reply Leave a Comment Cancel Reply Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ