Pharma

Delivering the essential medicines that help the world’s healthcare systems function

Essential intravenous (IV) medicines and IV fluids help hospitals deliver treatment quickly and reliably. Fresenius' Pharma business supplies critical IV medicines and fluids used in emergency care, surgery, oncology, intensive care, anesthesia and other critical hospital settings.

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Why essential IV medicines and fluids matter

Healthcare systems and hospitals face increasing pressure from demographic changes, growing demand, and uncertainty in a rapidly evolving global environment. Pressure from healthcare systems has resulted in consolidation of suppliers for many essential medicines, increasing the risk of supply disruption and shortages.

At the same time, consistent availability of these products is fundamental to ensure patients get the care they need. Patient care at hospitals depends on essential IV medicines and IV fluids – these are the foundation for hospital treatment, used across critical settings.

  • IV medicines offer a reliable and effective way to administer treatments, used in critical settings because they are fast acting with simple dosing.
  • IV fluids are used in emergencies to treat patients with blood loss or dehydration, with a variety of reliable, easy-to-use options that fit specific situations.

Our Pharma business is a top provider of IV drugs and fluids operating in more than 100 countries. With a portfolio of more than 160 medicines, including anesthesia, anti-infectives, analgesics, oncology, critical care and emergency room medicines, as well as IV fluids, we take our role in producing essential medicines seriously.

Up to 80% of hospital patients require infusion.1

>1 billion 
peripheral intravenous catheters are used each year to deliver IV medicines or fluids.2

~70%
of medicines we supply in the EU and US are considered essential medicines.3

Designing and delivering IV medicines and fluids to simplify treatment

Product design can contribute to safer care. Features such as standardized packaging, clear labeling and safety-focused administration systems can support healthcare professionals and help reduce complexity in clinical environments. Decades of experience supporting hospitals and ongoing close collaboration with healthcare professionals have provided us with insights into how medicines, fluids and infusion technologies are used together in daily clinical practice. This understanding helps guide product development, packaging improvements, manufacturing investments, and innovations designed to support real-world clinical workflows.

Our commitment

We work to innovate and develop essential medicines that are designed to support efficient clinical workflows and patient treatment. 

  • Enhanced formulations, ready-to-use presentations and delivery systems designed for clinical workflows support efficient and safe care
  • Innovative formats, including ready-to-administer infusion bags, vials and pre-filled syringes, designed to reduce preparation steps and support timely treatment
  • Longer-acting formulations and IV alternatives to oral medicines can contribute to improved administration practices and patient management
More on innovation

More resilient supply for critical drugs starts with predictability, preparation and partnership.

  • Local-for-local production approach in Europe and the United States, with IV solutions and key medicines manufactured locally from start to finish
  • Back-up production at multiple sites to strengthen supply resilience
  • Cross-stakeholder collaboration through End Drug Shortages Alliance and Association for Accessible Medicines to drive awareness of shortage causes and find solutions
More on quality and resilient supply

Through our businesses, we have a unique, holistic view of hospital environments. We design medicines and services to meet the evolving needs of real-world healthcare.

  • Ready-to-use product formats, clear labelling, and workflow optimization can reduce complexity, save time, and minimize potential for errors
  • Ongoing investment to strengthen and modernize manufacturing, increase production capacity and drive scientific medical innovation
  • Responsible manufacturing of antibiotics to preserve their efficacy and protect against antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
More on future-ready healthcare systems

The commitment and expertise of our employees as well as collaboration with healthcare professionals and partners are central to our work.

  • Support high standards of care through close engagement with healthcare providers, purchasing organizations, and other stakeholders
  • Products complemented with educational initiatives and practical insights to support safe use and efficient clinical practice
  • Digital platforms like KabiCare provide information and support for patients
More on people and partnerships

Delivering integrated IV therapy solutions

Effective IV therapy relies on more than medicines alone. Our capabilities span IV medicines, IV fluids, infusion devices and disposables like IV bags, helping support healthcare professionals not only with IV supply but with IV therapy delivery. By combining expertise across these areas, we help hospitals access integrated solutions designed for everyday clinical practice.

References
1. Doyle, G. R., McCutcheon, J. A. (2015). Clinical procedures for safer patient care. BCcampus. https://opentextbc.ca/clinicalskills/chapter/intravenous-therapy-peripheral-and-central-venous-catheters/
2. Cleveland Clinic. Peripheral IV — Peripheral Intravenous Catheter (PIVC). Last updated April 27, 2023. Available at: Peripheral IV — Peripheral Intravenous Catheter (PIVC)
3. Fresenius Sustainability Highlights Magazine 2025. https://report.fresenius.com/2025/sustainability-magazine/#essential-therapies