Last updated: April 23, 2026
Who Supplies Dextrose 5% in Sodium Chloride 0.9% in Plastic Containers?
What is the exact product scope?
“Dextrose 5% in Sodium Chloride 0.9% in plastic container” is a combination intravenous (IV) infusion solution:
- Dextrose (5%)
- Sodium chloride (0.9%)
- Plastic container (commonly PVC-free IV bags or plasticized PVC, depending on manufacturer)
No further specificity (market, volume, strength per mL, container type such as Viaflex/Liter bags, or regulatory status) is provided, so supplier coverage below is restricted to what can be stated as factual supplier presence at the product-category level.
Which supplier groups manufacture or market this IV combination in plastic containers?
Below are the supplier groups that commonly supply this exact class of IV combination solutions in plastic containers across regulated markets, through branded products and/or private label contracts.
| Supplier / Company group |
Likely product positioning |
Typical container modality in the category |
| Baxter |
Branded IV solutions; broad hospital-formulary penetration |
IV bags (plastic), including proprietary bag lines used in critical care |
| Fresenius Kabi |
Generics and hospital products; large distribution |
IV bags in plastic containers |
| Hospira (Pfizer) |
Legacy stronghold in sterile injectables |
IV bags in plastic containers |
| B. Braun |
Hospital IV solutions, multi-market supply |
Plastic IV bags |
| McKesson (distribution / private label in some channels) |
Distributor channel with private-label presence in sterile fluids |
Plastic containers depending on label program |
| Cardinal Health (distribution / private label in some channels) |
Distributor channel private labels |
Plastic containers depending on label program |
| Hospira/Pfizer competitors in sterile injectables |
Multiple generic/manufacturer entrants by geography |
Plastic IV bag line varies by site |
What should procurement teams validate before awarding to a supplier?
For this specific IV combination, procurement should lock validation on the packaging format and sterile manufacturing credentials, not only the API strengths.
| Validation item |
Why it matters for “plastic container” procurement |
| Bag material and closure system |
PVC-free vs PVC and port system impacts compatibility, handling, and facility SOPs |
| Container volume and fill |
The same strengths are sold in multiple volumes; pricing and logistics differ |
| Label language and regulatory listing |
Substitution depends on whether the listing matches the labeling used in your formulary |
| Sterility assurance and manufacturing site |
Contracts often differ by plant; recall history is site-specific |
| Distribution model (direct vs through distributors) |
Availability and lead times depend on channel structure |
How are suppliers typically distributed across hospital supply chains?
In practice, hospitals buy via one of three channels:
1) Direct manufacturer supply (Baxter, Fresenius Kabi, B. Braun, and other sterile injectables firms)
2) Distributor supply (McKesson, Cardinal Health) including private label options
3) Generic substitution programs tied to national formularies and tender specifications
What does “plastic container” usually mean in tender language?
Tender documents typically specify one or more of the following:
- “IV solution in plastic container” vs glass vial presentation
- bag size (for example, 250 mL, 500 mL, 1000 mL)
- compatibility and administration set port type (if facility SOP requires it)
Procurement teams should align tenders to bag format to avoid mismatches in administration and inventory tracking.
Key Takeaways
- “Dextrose 5% in sodium chloride 0.9%” IV infusion solutions are supplied by major sterile injectables manufacturers and large distributors, with plastic bags as the standard packaging modality in regulated hospital channels.
- For awarding suppliers, the critical differentiators are bag material/port system, bag volume, and regulatory/label listing, not just strength.
- Major recurring supplier groups in this category include Baxter, Fresenius Kabi, B. Braun, and Hospira/Pfizer, with distribution-led sourcing through McKesson and Cardinal Health.
FAQs
1) Are Baxter and Fresenius Kabi reliable sources for this IV combination?
Yes, both are established sterile IV solution suppliers in plastic bags across major hospital supply chains.
2) Do distributors like McKesson supply this product directly?
Distributors supply through their distribution networks and may offer private label options depending on contract and region; availability depends on the distributor’s contracted manufacturer(s).
3) What tender details prevent wrong-item substitution?
Specify container material (PVC vs non-PVC if required), bag volume, and exact trade/generic labeling used in your formulary.
4) Is “plastic container” always the same bag system?
No. Bag material, port system, and closure vary by manufacturer and product line, even when strengths are identical.
5) Can multiple suppliers satisfy the same strength combination?
Yes. The market includes both branded and generic manufacturers that produce the same strength combination with different packaging formats.
References (APA)
[1] Baxter. (n.d.). Baxter IV solutions product portfolio (hospital and sterile injectables). https://www.baxter.com
[2] Fresenius Kabi. (n.d.). Fresenius Kabi IV solutions and sterile injectables. https://www.fresenius-kabi.com
[3] B. Braun. (n.d.). IV solutions and sterile products. https://www.bbraun.com
[4] Pfizer. (n.d.). Pfizer sterile injectables and legacy Hospira products. https://www.pfizer.com
[5] McKesson. (n.d.). Pharmaceutical distribution and hospital supply services. https://www.mckesson.com
[6] Cardinal Health. (n.d.). Pharmaceutical distribution and hospital supply services. https://www.cardinalhealth.com
