Date: August 5, 2024
Attention: All Providers
Call to action: Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has been informed by Mead Johnson, maker of Enfamil products, that Enfamil Gentlease, Enfamil A.R and Enfamil Reguline may have limited availability in some retail stores due to severe damage to its distribution center in Mt. Vernon, Indiana due to a tornado on July 9th, 2024. Mead Johnson did not indicate concern with supply of Enfamil Infant at this time.
Recommendations: To ensure WIC clients continue to have access to infant formula, Texas WIC will be temporarily authorizing the redemption of additional Enfamil products, including different types, larger can sizes, and the ready-to-feed form of certain formulas through August 31, 2024.
In addition, Texas WIC has made available comparable alternative brand formulas when Enfamil Gentlease is not available at the store through August 31, 2024.
WIC clients who are issued Enfamil Gentlease 12.4 oz and unable to find it may:
- Return to the clinic to have their benefits updated to a larger size product comparable to Enfamil Gentlease. Options include both Enfamil and alternative brand products.
- Select one of the available comparable alternative brand formulas at the store, without needing to return to the clinic.
WIC clients who are unable to find Enfamil A.R. or Enfamil Reguline in the standard WIC-can sizes may return to the WIC clinic to have their benefits updated to the larger sizes of these formulas. WIC clients can also choose to try a different contract formula or may seek your guidance to discuss therapeutic formula options.
Resources:
HHSC State Formula Team contact information: FormulaTeam@hhs.texas.gov
Next step for providers: Providers should share this update with their staff.
If you have any questions, please email Provider Relations at: providerrelations@texaschildrens.org.
For access to all provider alerts,log into:
www.thecheckup.org or www.texaschildrenshealthplan.org/for-providers.
