A tornado unleashed its fury on a Pfizer manufacturing facility in North Carolina on Wednesday afternoon, resulting in significant damage to a vast storage of essential medicines used in hospitals throughout the United States.
Pfizer building destroyed by a tornado in North Carolina. 50,000 pallets of medicines destroyed.😳
🔊
— Wall Street Silver (@WallStreetSilv) July 19, 2023
The tornado’s destructive path extended beyond the Pfizer warehouse, causing additional damage to Nash County, impacting farms and homes in the area. Nash County Sheriff Keith Stone reported, “I’ve received reports of 50,000 pallets of medicine strewn across the facility and damaged by the torrential rain and relentless winds.”
In an official statement, Pfizer confirmed, “The Pfizer Rocky Mount facility has sustained damage due to the tornado.” Thankfully, Pfizer employees at the site promptly adhered to established safety protocols, successfully evacuating the premises.
The company reassured, “Our colleagues are safe and accounted for. We are currently assessing the situation to determine the extent of the impact on production. Our thoughts are with our colleagues, patients, and the community as we begin the process of rebuilding after this severe weather incident.”
According to information available on the company’s website, the North Carolina location stands as one of the world’s largest sterile injectable manufacturing sites, boasting over 1.4 million square feet of production space spread across 230 acres in Eastern North Carolina.
This facility plays a crucial role in manufacturing nearly a quarter of all sterile injectables utilized in hospitals across the United States. Pfizer’s diverse product range at the facility includes anesthesia, analgesia, therapeutics, anti-infectives, and neuromuscular blockers.
These essential medical products are available in both small-volume presentations, such as ampules, vials, and syringes, as well as large-volume presentations like IV bags and semi-rigid bottles. Each year, more than 400 million units of medications manufactured at the North Carolina location help treat patients worldwide.
The extent of the damage inflicted on the manufacturing facility raises concerns about potential disruptions in the supply chain of critical medicines to healthcare providers and patients in need. Pfizer claims its dedicated team is committed to resolving these challenges swiftly to ensure a seamless continuation of medical supplies to hospitals nationwide.
Pfizer has yet to provide an estimated timeline for resuming full production. As investigations continue, the pharmaceutical giant is cooperating with local authorities and relevant agencies to assess the full extent of the damage and implement the necessary measures for a successful recovery.
