Department of Pharmacy Services
March 25, 2013
Dear Healthcare Provider,
Currently, there is a nationwide shortage of all intravenous phosphate products that is
now affecting Bayhealth. This includes both intravenous sodium phosphate and
potassium phosphate. Due to manufacturing suspensions, phosphate products are only
available intermittently, so there are periods of time when this product is unavailable. The
Department of Pharmacy Services is unable to procure intravenous phosphate
preparations at this time. Up until this point, the manufacturers of these products have not
released a statement as to when they expect manufacturing to resume or when the
products will be readily available. Please keep this shortage in mind when prescribing
intravenous electrolytes. Also, please keep in mind that the Department of Pharmacy is
able to obtain oral preparations as described in the chart below. The Department of
Pharmacy services will keep you updated as they occur.
Sodium
Product
K Phos Neutral
K Phos Original
Phos-NaK
Form
Tablet
Tablet
Packet
Phosphate
250 mg
8 mmoles
114 mg 3.7 mmoles
250 mg
8 mmoles
Thank you in advance for your cooperation,
Alex Zarow, RPh, MBA
Director, Pharmacy Services
744-7020
Carl Popelas PharmD, BCOP
Clinical Manger, Pharmacy Services
744-6950
Potassium
45 mg
1.1 mEq
144 mg
3.7 mEq
280 mg
6.8 mEq
298 mg
160 mg
13 mEq
7 mEq
Available
at BMC
Yes
Yes
Yes