Elgammal Ayat, Ryan Joseph, Bradley Colin, Crean Abina, Bermingham Margaret
Pharmaceutical Care Research Group, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
SSPC Pharmaceutical Research Centre, School of Pharmacy, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm. 2024 Nov 23;17:100546. doi: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2024.100546. eCollection 2025 Mar.
Poor palatability of antibiotics is a key cause for non-adherence to antibiotic treatment among children. Failure to complete antibiotic treatment because of poor palatability can cause disease recurrence and may contribute to increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the experience and challenges faced by general practitioners (GPs) and community pharmacists regarding prescribing and dispensing oral liquid antibiotics for children and the impact of poorly palatable antibiotic formulations on patients and the health-system.
One-to-one semi-structured interviews with GPs and pharmacists were conducted via an online video-conferencing platform. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.
Twenty participants (7 GPs and 13 pharmacists) were interviewed. Three main themes and eight subthemes were identified. Theme 1: included four subthemes; (i) factors affecting prescribing and dispensing antibiotics, (ii) reasons to select poorly palatable antibiotics, (iii) palatability discussion with parents, and (iv) formulation factors affecting oral liquid antibiotic acceptability. Theme 2: encompassed two sub themes; (i) patient impact and (ii) health-system impact. Theme 3: involved two subthemes; (i) raising awareness of flavour and palatability issues among healthcare professionals and (ii) counselling parents while prescribing and before dispensing.
There is a need to increase palatability awareness among healthcare professionals and parents. The development of more palatable oral liquid formulations can play a role in improving prescribing and medicines taking practices.
抗生素口感不佳是儿童不坚持抗生素治疗的关键原因。因口感不佳而未能完成抗生素治疗可导致疾病复发，并可能促使抗菌药物耐药率上升。本研究的目的是调查全科医生（GPs）和社区药剂师在为儿童开具和调配口服液体抗生素方面所面临的经验和挑战，以及口感不佳的抗生素制剂对患者和卫生系统的影响。
通过在线视频会议平台对全科医生和药剂师进行一对一的半结构化访谈。使用主题分析法对数据进行分析。
采访了20名参与者（7名全科医生和13名药剂师）。确定了三个主要主题和八个子主题。主题1：包括四个子主题；（i）影响抗生素开具和调配的因素，（ii）选择口感不佳的抗生素的原因，（iii）与家长进行口感讨论，以及（iv）影响口服液体抗生素可接受性的制剂因素。主题2：包括两个子主题；（i）对患者的影响和（ii）对卫生系统的影响。主题3：涉及两个子主题；（i）提高医护人员对口味和口感问题的认识，以及（ii）在开具处方时和调配前为家长提供咨询。
有必要提高医护人员和家长对口感的认识。开发口感更好的口服液体制剂可在改善处方开具和服药习惯方面发挥作用。
