Drug-Handling Problems and Expectations of the Ideal Pediatric Drug — Reported by Children and Their Parents

Abstract

Experienced drug-handling problems and inadequately considered expectations for drug therapy have an unfavorable influence on therapy. We performed a questionnaire survey in (i) parents of 0–5-year-old children and (ii) 6–17-year-olds and their parents. We assessed (A) experienced drug-handling problems and (B) expectations for drug therapy. (i) 46 parents and (ii) 103 children and their parents participated in the study. Experienced drug-handling problems were described by (i) 100% of parents and (ii) 62% of children and 70% of parents. Problems concerned the preparation of the drug, dosing, compliance with the time interval, and acceptance. (i) 65% of parents preferred a peroral route of drug administration, while (ii) 74% of children and 86% of parents did so. Preferred characteristics of peroral drug formulations, e.g. liquid versus solid drug formulations or flavor, were highly heterogeneous. Preferences of 6–17-year-old children and their parents matched in 43% to 66%. Conclusion: Most children and their parents had already experienced drug-handling problems. Preferences concerning the ideal pediatric drug were highly heterogeneous and in about half of cases, preferences of children and their parents differed. Thus, the children should be approached directly. If information is solely gained from parents, the children’s needs might remain unmet.