The tornado that hit Pfizer Inc.’s Rocky Mount plant left its warehouse there damaged, but didn’t appear to cause any severe damage in the area where drugs are produced, and the company is working to minimize shortages.

Even so, it may take weeks to bring the plant back online, Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla said Friday at a press conference at the North Carolina plant.

“I don’t think we know right now what type of shortages we may have,” Bourla said. “Right now there are at least six weeks inventory out there in the channel. So I don’t think we’ll see anything, let’s say, in the next few weeks.”

Author: Nacha Cattan, Ike Swetlitz and Riley Griffin