Authors (including presenting author) :
Lai FYF(1), Chung PY(2), Ho TW(2), Poon MH(1), Tang SK(2), Cheung J(2), Ma LTA(2)
Affiliation :
(1)Department of Pharmacy, Hong Kong Children’s Hospital (2)Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Hong Kong Children’s Hospital
Introduction :
Liquid medications are frequently prescribed to children who have difficulty swallowing tablets and capsules. However, these liquid forms often have unpleasant tastes and include undesirable excipients, making them less preferred by parents. The Meds Easy Programme was initiated in the Paediatric Nephrology Centre at Hong Kong Children’s Hospital (HKCH) in August 2024.
Objectives :
The primary aim of the Meds Easy Programme is to empower children with the skills necessary to swallow pills. This initiative seeks to reduce the reliance on liquid medications and improve the medication-taking experience for both patients and their parents.
Methodology :
Patients aged 5 years and older, who were taking at least one medication in liquid form or in crushed pill form, were identified and recruited into the Meds Easy Programme. Each patient received an individual session for a swallowing trial, conducted by a clinical pharmacist and a ward nurse either in the waPatients aged 5 years and older, who were taking at least one medication in liquid form or in crushed pill form, were recruited into the Meds Easy Programme. Each patient received an individual session for a swallowing trial, conducted by a clinical pharmacist and a ward nurse either in the ward or outpatient clinic. The sessions utilized candies and dummy gelatin capsules of incremental sizes to facilitate practice. Following the session, successful patients were transitioned to tablets or capsules, based on their results and clinical appropriateness, as discussed with the treating clinicians. Patients' progress was monitored at one-week interval, with follow-up sessions arranged as necessary.
Result & Outcome :
From August 2024 to February 2025, 38 sessions were conducted for 29 children (14 males, 15 females). The median age of patients was 8.7 years (IQR: 6.4,10.3). The most common diagnosis was glomerular diseases (37.9%). At least one medication was converted in 26 patients (89.7%) following their initial session. Five patients required additional sessions to convert all their active medications. Notably, half of the medications involved were antihypertensives and immunosuppressants. This initiative is projected to yield a medication cost-saving of about HKD $500,000 within one year for the 71 medications converted for these patients. Post-session questionnaires revealed that more than 90% of the participants were very satisfied with the programme outcome. The Meds Easy Programme has successfully equipped our paediatric nephrology patients with the skills necessary for pill swallowing, thereby enhancing their medication-taking experience. We anticipate that more patients will benefit from this programme as we plan to extend it to other paediatric patients in the near future.
