The shutdown of GE Healthcare’s Shanghai, China plant that began in April has caused a global shortage of the iodinated contrast media iohexol (GE’s Omnipaque TM). GE reports that it has returned to a 50% production rate, and they have shifted some production to a plant in Ireland, but they expect an 80% reduction in supplies through June. Alternative contrast agents such as iodixanol (GE’s Vispaque TM) and ioversol (Optiray[1]) are becoming scarce as practices have shifted to using those products instead of iohexol. As of May 31, Omnipaque, Vispaque, and Ultravist (Bayer’s iopromide) have been added to the FDA’s list of drug shortages.
