FDA Removes N95 Respirators from ‘Shortages’ List
FDA has removed N95 respirators from its medical device shortage list, which it says signals that “demand or projected demand for this type of face protection device commonly used in health care settings no longer exceeds the supply. This action is the result of increased domestic manufacturing of N95 respirators, as well as updates to the FDA’s supply chain assessment based on engagement with industry and federal stakeholders, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) approval of new disposable N95s and reusable respirators.” The agency says that it had been closely monitoring the respirator supply chain as part of its efforts to address critical shortages of personal protective equipment.