Abstract

Kolawole* JA, Paye PD and Smith KC

The determination and implementation of appropriate dose(s) and dosing in children for effective therapeutic outcome devoid of medication errors is a concern to health practitioners and regulatory authorities. This study surveyed children oral medications on the Liberian pharmaceutical market for appropriate dose/dosage and delivery devices. In the qualitative work, caregivers were interviewed and surveys were conducted in pharmacies for oral medications and the quantitative phase involved the evaluation of the delivery devices. The result of the survey showed that 95.7% of caregivers followed instructions provided at the point of dispensing or as on label of product. Survey result showed that 56% of the oral medicinal products have specific direction for usage while 73% have the inscription “as directed by the physician”, either alone or in combination with specific direction for use. Medicines with delivery device as cup were 80.94% and those with teaspoons were 1.79%, while 17.28% do not have any form of delivery device. 53.11% of the medicinal products provided instruction for delivery of the medicines in “teaspoonful”, though they did not contain teaspoon or cups graduated in “teaspoonful” format. Volume calibration of the teaspoons (n=12, Mean ± SD; 5.389 ± 1.219 ml) showed statistically significant difference (P< 0.05), while the cups volume capacities at 5.0 ml was found to be 5.200 ± 0.326 ml. The large volume cups showed significant difference (P<0.05) at the 5.0 ml graduation. The cups with volume capacities of about 10.0 ml (64.89%) or above 10.0 ml (35.11%) were found to be susceptible to error as only 25.5% of the mothers were able to accurately measure out 5.0 ml in the cups.