Intravenous multivitamin shortage management for parenteral nutrition

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.