Pfizer, Sandoz, and Astellas Activate Drop-Shipment Protocols for Antifungals Amid Meningitis Outbreak

Hospital procurement teams managing antifungal supply during the current fungal meningitis outbreak have a direct-access channel available: Pfizer, Sandoz, and Astellas have each confirmed inventory and drop-shipment capability for voriconazole IV and liposomal amphotericin B, bypassing wholesaler stock constraints where necessary.

Pfizer reports ample supply of Vfend IV (voriconazole) at its distribution center. Hospitals unable to source product through their local wholesaler can initiate a drop-shipment request via that same wholesaler, with Pfizer guaranteeing next-day delivery on orders placed through the wholesaler by 3:00 PM EST. Procurement contacts should reach Pfizer customer service at 800-533-4535.

Sandoz has voriconazole IV in stock and has confirmed drop-shipment capability. Procurement teams should contact Sandoz directly at 1-800-525-8747; if live support is unavailable, a voicemail message will be routed to the appropriate Sandoz representative.

For liposomal amphotericin B, Astellas confirms adequate supply of AmBisome at its distribution center. The same drop-shipment mechanism applies: hospitals place the request through their wholesaler, and Astellas guarantees next-day delivery on orders received by 4:00 PM EST. Astellas Medical Information is reachable at 1-800-727-7003.

For QA directors and supply-chain leads, the operational read is consistent across all three suppliers: the wholesaler remains the order conduit, but the manufacturer absorbs the fulfillment risk. Procurement teams that have not yet mapped drop-shipment escalation paths into their shortage response SOPs should treat this activation as a live reference case for updating those procedures under 21 CFR Part 211 inventory management obligations.

The next measurable checkpoint is order cut-off compliance: facilities that miss the 3:00 PM or 4:00 PM EST windows will not receive next-day delivery, making real-time communication between clinical pharmacy and procurement a direct determinant of patient-care continuity.

Source: FDA Drug Shortages program via FDA.gov What's New: Drugs RSS Feed, 11 June 2026.