New strategies aim to help ease the shortage of intravenous fluid bags, made worse by a particularly severe influenza season and the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria, says Scott Gottlieb, MD, commissioner of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In a memo released Thursday, Dr Gottlieb updated the public on the situation, saying that the agency has been able to extend the expiration dates of some products, including some of the 500-mL saline bags, after manufacturer Baxter submitted data showing the extended use would meet FDA safety standards. The FDA has a guide to product extensions.