Dear RHC Partners,
Thank you for your partnership in COVID-19 mitigation programs. The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) is reaching out to RHCs with information regarding the infant formula shortage affecting communities all around the country.
Infant Formula Shortage Resources
The FDA recently published an update about the infant and specialty formula shortage.
The update links to a warning that FDA published in February, which led to a voluntary product recall by Abbott Nutrition.
RHCs may especially be interested in the language that appears in the blue box on the warning page. Specifically (in the fourth paragraph), the FDA provides information about how consumers with an urgent need for certain specialty and metabolic formulas can obtain them on a case-by-case basis, and recommends steps that parents and caregivers should take before and while administering this formula, including consulting with their health care provider to weigh the risks and benefits.
We share this information so that RHCs may be able to assist patients who are facing critical situations due to the formula shortage. Providers may find out how to submit an urgent product request on Abbott Nutrition’s website.
A letter is attached to this email with additional information for concerned parents and caregivers, and this linked Q&A may be helpful as well: Questions & Answers for Consumers Concerning Infant Formula | FDA
We hope this information is useful to you and the communities you serve.
Best,
RHC COVID-19 Team