Intravenous multivitamin shortage management for parenteral nutrition

Authors

  • Stefan Mühlebach Division of Clinical Pharmacy and Epidemiology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
  • Katja A. Schönenberger Division of Clinical Pharmacy and Epidemiology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel and Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism (UDEM), Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
  • Stefanie J. Penitzka Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism (UDEM), Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
  • Valentina V. Huwiler Division of Clinical Pharmacy and Epidemiology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel and Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism (UDEM), Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
  • Mette M. Berger University of Lausanne, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, Lausanne, Switzerland
  • Zeno Stanga Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology, Nutritional Medicine and Metabolism (UDEM), Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33892/aph.2025.95.15-21

Keywords:

deficiency, drug shortage, multivitamin, (home) parenteral nutrition, management guidance

Abstract

Objectives The objective was to elucidate the current practice of managing parenteral nutrition duringintravenous multivitamin shortages in Switzerland and the impact on patients.

Methods We conducted 17 structured interviews with experts involved in parenteral nutrition supply(healthcare professionals, a public servant, and industry representatives) and patients on home parenteral nutrition.

Results Awareness and experience with intravenous multivitamin shortages was high among professionals but not in patients. Overall, eight (47%) of the professionals experienced long-lasting shortages (>90 days). Mentioned reasons for shortages were packaging and transport issues, problems in the procurement of raw materials, lack of personnel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, changed industrial manufacturing prioritizing, e.g., for mRNA vaccines, the 2021 Suez Canal obstruction, low market price, and national authorization withdrawal.

Conclusions Managing intravenous multivitamin shortages has become a common task. European guidelinesincluding prioritization of patients relying on intravenous multivitamins and trace elements are warranted.

Published

2025-06-15

How to Cite

(1)
Mühlebach, S.; Schönenberger, K. A.; Penitzka , S. J.; Huwiler, V. V.; Berger , M. M.; Stanga, Z. Intravenous Multivitamin Shortage Management for Parenteral Nutrition. Acta Pharm Hung 2025, 95, 15-21.

Issue

Vol. 95 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Original Research Articles

Copyright (c) 2025 Acta Pharmaceutica Hungarica

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APH is published as a diamond open-access journal under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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