| NEWSRoom | Source: American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) | |
ASPEN Releases Multi-vitamin Shortage Survey Results |
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The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) continues to express its deep concern about the ongoing shortage of parenteral nutrition (PN) multi-vitamins. Multi-vitamins are a critical parenteral nutrition component; shortages of this drug in the past have been associated with serious illness and death. “The shortage issue with PN multi-vitamins is serious. We are in a situation with a very limited number of manufacturers of this product even before the current production delay,” said Jay Mirtallo, MS, RPh, FASHP, BCNSP, ASPEN president. “Hopefully the results of this survey will bring even more attention to this issue and urge the FDA and other government officials to provide safe alternatives as soon as possible.” ASPEN’s most recent survey conducted April 24-May 2, 2012 queried how nutrition support clinicians, including pharmacists, nurses, dietitians and physicians are affected by the continued multi-vitamin shortage. This survey was implemented with the help of The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). ASPEN received an overwhelming response to its survey from clinicians in all healthcare settings and across all age groups. And, responses were timely—almost 800 respondents completed the survey in just over 1 week. A few key survey findings are: • About 70% of respondents are in short supply of adult multi-vitamins and 26% of respondents are in short supply of pediatric multi-vitamins (this follows respondents patient populations) • Almost 27% are not giving their patients on PN IV multi-vitamins because of the shortage. • For pediatric practitioners, 25% report a less than 7-day supply • For adult practitioners, 28% report a less than 7-day supply ASPEN is strongly encouraging clinicians to use the shortage management recommendations that are found on ASPEN’s website and on the FDA’s Drug Shortages website. In addition, ASPEN has shared the results of this survey with the drug shortage staff at the FDA. |
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