Background The use of parenteral nutrition (PN) is necessary for a child waiting for optimum enteral nutrition or when this is not possible or contraindicated. Three different types of PN bags exist: bag with marketing authorisation (AMM), standardised bag and bag on demand. According to the IGAS Report (General Inspection of Social Affairs) on paediatric PN practices, it is necessary to promote, as far as possible, specialities with AMM, in order to guarantee optimum safety clinically, microbiologically and physicochemically. The first multichamber PN bag with a ternary combination, intended for paediatrics, was commercialised under the name Numetah and has been listed in AP-HM since August 2015.

Purpose This study’s purpose was to determine the product marketing influence on PN bag prescription in paediatrics.

Material and methods The study was based on a comparison before/after Numetah commercialisation. Consumption of different bag types was analysed in 4 paediatric departments (paediatric intensive care (RP), paediatric surgery (CP), paediatric oncology (OP) and multidisciplinary paediatrics (PP)). Two periods were defined: period 1, from August 2014 to March 2015 (before Numetah) and period 2, from August 2015 to March 2016. Data were collected using Pharma software.

Results In RP, the number of bags on demand decreased, whereas it increased for standardised bags and 664 Numetah were delivered. In CP, the number of bags on demand decreased, there were no difference for standardised bags and 79 Numetah were delivered. In OP, the number of bags on demand decreased, as did standardised bags, and 209 Numetah were delivered. In PP, the number of bags on demand and standardised bags increased, and 139 Numetah were delivered. We observed a decrease in prescription of manufactured bags in favour of Numetah, especially in RP. Numetah represents about 50% of prescriptions, except in PP, which could be explained by the presence of a PN specialist.

Conclusion Commercialisation of Numetah allowed the nutritious needs of more newborn babies and hospitalised children to be met, particularly in RP. As a result, the Numetah bag is the best match with the IGAS recommendations in paediatric parenteral nutrition. Nevertheless, some patients with particular needs still require standardised bags on demand prescriptions.

References and/or acknowledgements Timone’s Pharmacy.

No conflict of interest