Last updated: June 18, 2026
Suppliers for Dextrose 10% and Sodium Chloride 0.45% in Plastic Container: Who Manufactures, Packages, and Ships in the US
Dextrose 10% and sodium chloride 0.45% in plastic containers is sold as a premixed IV solution for hydration and fluid/electrolyte replacement. Commercial availability in the US is driven by branded product lines (often in ViaFlex-like plastic bags) and by licensed generic manufacturers that produce the same strength/formulation for distribution through wholesalers and group purchasing organizations (GPOs).
Common supply pattern: manufacturers make the sterile admixture under CGMP in plastic container systems; distributors and hospital supply chains then sell under multiple national account and contract pricing structures.
Which companies supply Dextrose 10% and Sodium Chloride 0.45% in plastic containers in the US?
The market typically includes a mix of:
- Brand-origin innovators whose products are licensed and marketed through wholesalers and institutional channels.
- Generic manufacturers producing the same active components and container format.
- Contract packagers/secondary labelers used for distribution under particular NDCs, hospital catalog numbers, or private label arrangements.
Suppliers most likely to be encountered in procurement:
- Baxter (major IV-plastic bag supplier; broad portfolio of premixed solutions)
- Hospira/Pfizer legacy brands and successors (historic presence in sterile IV generics and institutional supply)
- B. Braun (large-scale sterile IV manufacturing; frequent presence across saline/dextrose premixes)
- Fresenius Kabi (sterile injectable and IV solution manufacturing and institutional supply)
- McKesson or Cardinal Health private distribution pipelines (not manufacturers, but key route-to-market suppliers)
- AmerisourceBergen (national wholesaler distribution and contract structures)
The supplier you actually buy from depends on the NDC tied to the specific plastic container presentation and the contract/GPO listing used by your hospital or distributor.
How does supplier availability change by NDC and container system (ViaFlex, Ecoflac, other plastics)?
Even when the labeled composition is identical (dextrose 10% and sodium chloride 0.45%), supply can diverge by:
- Plastic bag system (material compatibility, bag size, overwrap, and administration port configuration)
- NDC and labeler (manufacturer of record vs. distributor/secondary labeler)
- Package count and volume (commonly 1 L and 500 mL classes, but exact sizes vary by listing)
- Whether the product is sourced as a generic under multiple labelers
Procurement implication: if you need continuity of supply, lock to the specific NDC(s) and manufacturer/labeler on the contract, not only the ingredient strengths and container type.
What are the main distribution channels for Dextrose 10% and Sodium Chloride 0.45% plastic bags?
Supply in hospitals usually runs through one of two routes:
- Wholesaler supply (GPO contracted): hospitals order via primary distribution partners. Lead times track the wholesaler’s inventory allocations.
- Direct institutional contracts: some systems contract directly with the manufacturer or with a logistics provider tied to the manufacturer.
Common wholesalers used in the US for IV products:
- McKesson
- AmerisourceBergen
- Cardinal Health
These entities typically control inventory allocation, substitutions, and contract pricing, even when they are not the manufacturer.
Which suppliers are typically responsible for sterile manufacturing and CGMP release?
For sterile IV premixes, the manufacturer of record is the party that:
- produces the sterile solution under CGMP,
- performs batch release testing,
- controls container filling and sealing,
- ships finished product under labeled NDCs.
In procurement documentation, this maps to the labeler/manufacturer listed on the NDC in FDA labeling.
How many suppliers commonly compete for this exact premix strength and plastic container presentation?
Competition is usually multi-supplier, with:
- 1 to 3 major sterile injectables manufacturers supplying the same strength,
- multiple NDC labelers/distributors layered on top through packaging and distribution agreements.
The most important determinant of “how many” in a given procurement cycle is how many NDCs are active on your hospital’s group purchasing listing.
What generic entry risks or substitution issues affect supply continuity?
For this type of premixed IV solution, supply continuity risks usually arise from:
- sterile fill-finish capacity constraints,
- container/bag material supply disruptions,
- batch holds or release delays,
- capacity reallocation during periods of broader IV shortages.
Practically, the largest substitution friction comes from:
- differences in container size,
- differences in port design and administration accessories,
- differences in labeler/manufacturer under the same clinical formulation.
How strong is the patent estate for Dextrose 10% and Sodium Chloride 0.45% in plastic containers?
This is generally a category where patent barriers are limited compared with specialty therapeutics, so:
- manufacturer switching is common once regulatory and manufacturing readiness exist,
- supply is driven more by capacity and compliance than by IP exclusivity.
In most cases, the relevant exclusivity is not “proprietary formulation” type; it is about regulatory clearance and manufacturing permissions, plus brand vs generic market mechanics.
Practical supplier short-list for procurement (manufacturer vs distributor)
The table below reflects how buyers typically map suppliers in US procurement documents.
| Role |
Supplier type |
Examples you commonly see in IV-premix supply chains |
| Manufacturer of record |
CGMP sterile IV producer |
Baxter; B. Braun; Fresenius Kabi; (and other sterile injectables manufacturers active in premixed saline/dextrose) |
| Labeler / secondary packager |
NDC labeler for hospital/GPO catalog |
Distributor-linked labelers and contract labelers under specific NDCs |
| Wholesaler / distributor |
Route-to-market and inventory allocation |
McKesson; AmerisourceBergen; Cardinal Health |
| Group purchasing |
Contracting and substitution |
GPO contract vehicles used by hospital systems |
Key Takeaways
- “Dextrose 10% and Sodium Chloride 0.45% in plastic container” availability is driven by the NDC-specific manufacturer/labeler, not only the drug composition.
- Procurement continuity depends on locking to specific NDCs tied to the manufacturing source.
- The supply chain typically involves large sterile IV manufacturers plus major US wholesalers that manage inventory and contract fulfillment.
FAQs
1) Who makes Dextrose 10% and Sodium Chloride 0.45% in plastic IV bags?
Large sterile IV manufacturers including major players such as Baxter, B. Braun, and Fresenius Kabi are common manufacturers-of-record seen in institutional supply.
2) Can hospitals substitute another NDC with the same dextrose/saline strengths?
They often can under contract rules, but substitution friction occurs when container size, port/accessory compatibility, or manufacturer/labeler differs.
3) What wholesalers supply this premix for US hospitals?
McKesson, AmerisourceBergen, and Cardinal Health are common primary distributors for IV products.
4) Is the plastic bag system (port and material) a substitution issue?
Yes. Even with identical ingredient strengths, different bag/port configurations can change compatibility with administration sets and hospital procedures.
5) What causes short-term shortages for this IV premix?
Supply interruptions usually track sterile manufacturing batch availability, batch release timing, and container filling/packaging capacity rather than active ingredient scarcity alone.
References
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Orange Book: Approved Drug Products with Therapeutapeutic Equivalence Evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. DailyMed. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/
