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# FDA Steps to Prevent Medical Device Shortages
- URL: https://www.fdaweb.com/fda-steps-to-prevent-medical-device-shortages/
- Published: 2019-03-26T12:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-15T01:15:36.000Z
- Author: David McFarland
- Tags: Devices, #legacy-id-D5143706

FDA commissioner **Scott Gottlieb** says the agency is taking steps to prevent and mitigate potential medical device shortages due to the recent closure of an Illinois sterilization facility and the likely closure of a second facility. In a [statement](https://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm634444.htm?ref=fdaweb.com), Gottlieb says FDA has been monitoring the situation following action by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to close Sterigenics due to the presence of higher levels of ethylene oxide in the air around the facility than is permitted. FDA also has been working with device manufacturers affected by the closure to minimize any impact on patients who need access to the medical devices, he says.

He outlined these steps: 

- FDA is actively working to prevent medical devices shortages arising from the Sterigenics closing and the likely closing of a Viant facility in response to air quality concerns raised by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality;
- while trying to prevent shortages, FDA also is developing strategies to limit the impact of device supply interruptions on patients, including making devices available from other sources if needed;
- FDA is working with stakeholders such as sterilization experts, medical device manufacturers, and other government agencies, to identify innovative ways to sterilize medical devices that don’t raise the same concerns as those identified at Sterigenics; and
- to help ensure transparency and communication about using ethylene oxide in medical device sterilization, the agency launched a dedicated [Web page](https://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/ProductsandMedicalProcedures/GeneralHospitalDevicesandSupplies/ucm634204.htm?ref=fdaweb.com) to be a resource on that method and on any future actions it takes on shortages or other activities associated with the issue.