Oct 31 (Reuters) - Medical device maker Baxter

International ( BAX ) said on Thursday it has restarted the

highest-throughput intravenous solutions manufacturing line at

its North Carolina facility, which was impacted by

hurricane-related flooding.

The North Cove facility was temporarily closed last month

due to flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. The plant makes 60%

of the United States' supply of IV fluids and peritoneal

dialysis (PD) solutions, according to the American Hospital

Association.

Its closure had triggered a shortage of IV products,

including saline and dialysis solutions, in the country.

"The output from the restarted line ... will supplement

product that is being imported from abroad in accordance with

temporary grants of regulatory flexibility from the FDA," the

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier

Becerra said in a statement.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it conducted

scientific and regulatory assessments while facilitating the

temporary importation of 40 different IV and PD fluids from

seven Baxter facilities around the world.

"These supply improvements, combined with increased output

from other manufacturers, should help healthcare providers get

more of the product they need over the coming weeks," the U.S.

health regulator said.

Baxter has said it targets to return to 90% to 100%

allocation of certain IV solutions by the end of 2024.