It was also unclear how deeply the destruction would exacerbate existing national drug shortages, which have reached a 10-year high in recent months. Hospitals are on high alert because low-cost generic products manufactured at the site, such as the sedative propofol, are already among the most shortage-prone on the market. The tornado ripped through a 16-mile strip of the Rocky Mount area, about 50 miles east of Raleigh, at about 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday. She said Pfizer and the Food and Drug Administration had teams on-site to assess the damage. It also makes vancomycin, an antibiotic administered to fight severe infections, and muscle blockers including succinylcholine, also used in surgery.

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Persons: I’m, ”, Michael Ganio, Mittal Sutaria, Sutaria, Vizient Organizations: American Society of Health, Pharmacists, National Weather Service, Pfizer, Food and Drug Administration Locations: Rocky, Raleigh, Vizient