A severe shortage in saline solution has prompted U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal to join with Hartford Hospital medical professionals to call for a federal investigation. They want to see if suppliers are violating antitrust laws.
The senator said prices have been skyrocketing nationwide with some hospitals reporting price hikes in the millions of dollars. He has called on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether saline suppliers are taking advantage of the shortage in ways that violate antitrust law and pose serious risks to patient care.
According to Blumenthal, hospitals rely on saline solution every day to dilute medication, hydrate patients, and complete countless procedures. He said some suppliers are using the shortage to push sales of related products.
“Price increases of 200 to 300 percent for a basic necessity of modern health care like saline are unconscionable and unacceptable. Hospitals nationwide are facing cost increases upwards of a million dollars or more, placing patient well being at risk. I am deeply troubled by reports that some suppliers may be taking advantage of this crisis by imposing even greater price increases on hospitals and customers who choose not to buy additional products like pumps, tubes and catheters from saline manufacturers,” Blumenthal said.
