Premier Inc. (Charlotte, NC) through its ProvideGx program, has partnered with Fresenius Kabi to supply Diprivan (propofol) injectable emulsion, USP to healthcare providers, helping to stabilize the long-term supply of a medication vital for COVID-19 patient care.
Diprivan is indicated for anesthesia and sedation, including for patients who require sedation during mechanical ventilation. Diprivan is a unique formulation of propofol that uses an antimicrobial retardant (EDTA or disodium edetate) that may help inhibit microbial growth should contamination occur. Diprivan is also commonly used as an anesthetic in many elective surgical procedures.
According to Premier’s data, demand for propofol nationwide during the peak of the pandemic (April) spiked to about six times historical rates, while fill rates in the U.S. fell to less than 50% of ordered quantities, particularly for larger vial sizes preferred for 24-hour ventilator sedation. As a result, the product was added to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) drug shortage list in the same month.
To help meet a potential future surge in demand, Fresenius Kabi is committed to retaining a significant strategic safety stock of Diprivan for Premier members, sourcing raw materials from multiple regions, producing finished doses in multiple locations and staging inventory in multiple U.S. logistics centers.
The financial terms of Premier’s agreement with Fresenius Kabi were not disclosed.