Wargenau, Manfred, Baase, Felicitas, Eckhardt, Kristin, Spitzhorn, Lucas-Sebatian, Reidemeister, Sibylle, Klingmann, Ingrid and Klingmann, Viviane (2024) Questionnaire study to investigate the preference of children, parents, and healthcare professionals for different formulations of oral medicinal products. Pharmaceutics, 16 (4). p. 515. ISSN pharmaceutics-2911767; doi: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16040515

Abstract

Since acceptability of a drug might have a relevant impact on therapeutic outcome, this study aimed to determine and compare the preferences of children, parents, and healthcare profes-sionals for the most often used pediatric formulations for oral medicines (syrup, mini-tablets, oblong tablets, round tablets) addressing all pediatric age groups from 0-<18 years (y).
This survey study employed sex-, age- and participant group-adapted questionnaires for 8 co-horts of participants, i.e. children 6-<12 y, adolescents 12-<18 y, parents of children in 4 age groups (0-<2 y, 2-<6 y, 6-<12 y, 12-<18 y), nurses, and pediatricians. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.
In the age groups 0-<2 y and 2-<6 y, mini-tablets were preferred over syrup by all participants. In the age group 6-12 y, also solid dosage forms were preferred over syrup by all participants. In the age group 12-<18 y, healthcare professionals preferred solid dosage forms over syrup. Parents preferred higher amounts of mini-tablets and syrup compared to round and oblong tablets while adolescents’ preferences did not differentiate between these formulations.
Based on the study results and in contrast with current practice, it is suggested to consider solid dosage forms for future age-appropriate medicinal products already for younger age groups.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Mini-tablets, pediatric formulation, medicine dosage form, medicinal product administration
Date Deposited:	20 Apr 2024 00:46
Last Modified:	20 Apr 2024 00:46
URI:	https://oak.novartis.com/id/eprint/53020