Children’s views on taking medicines and participating in clinical trials

Abstract

IntroductionLimited information is available on the views of children taking medicines and participating in clinical trials. These views may contribute to a better understanding of what can be improved on in the development of medicines from their perspective.ObjectiveTo collect children’s views on taking medicines and participating in clinical trials.Materials and methodsA question-based survey was conducted among children living in European Union countries between January and August 2015.ResultsAlmost 900 children aged 10–17 years from Finland, Germany, Sweden, Spain and Hungary responded. Almost 40% had a chronic health condition. The most commonly used pharmaceutical forms were solid or liquid medicines for oral use and injectable medicines. Bad taste and pain during administration were reported as common problems. Of 785 respondents, 17% had been taking part in a clinical trial. Most respondents would potentially agree to take part in a clinical trial because the investigational medicine might improve their own health or that of other children. Concern that the investigational medicine might be harmful was the main reason to refuse participation, if asked to. Over half of the respondents were willing to learn more about clinical trials, preferably online.ConclusionsIt is necessary to involve children in the development of age-appropriate pharmaceutical forms and in the design of clinical trials. Children and their carers should be provided with age-appropriate medical information in the most suitable channels. We have identified some common problems that children experience when taking medicines, and we conclude that children are interested in learning more and giving their opinions on clinical trials.

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

“…Data of literature [13] and our own clinical experience show that the needs of children and their parents should be more carefully considered in practical drug administration. Therefore, we explored the main causes of problems in drug handling by children and their parents.…”

“…So far, however, only a small number of studies addressed the perspective of children and their parents on drug-handling problems. For instance, in a questionnaire survey performed in 2015 among children in ve European countries, bad taste of medicines, pain during administration, and di culties in remembering to take drugs were the most commonly reported problems that may prevent appropriate drug use [13]. Regulatory authorities recognized this issue and addressed the challenges of drug use speci cally in children.…”

Acceptability of generic versus innovator oral medicines: not only a matter of taste

“…Unacceptable medicines can impede the benefits of even the most effective drug, yet many parents and other carers are faced with the daily challenge of getting their children to take their treatments. 'I don't like the taste' remains the number one challenge for children in taking medicines (>60% of 652 respondents in a recent survey) [48].…”

Drug-handling problems and expectations of the ideal pediatric drug—reported by children and their parents

“…So far, however, only a small number of studies addressed the perspective of children themselves and their parents on drug-handling problems. For instance, in a questionnaire survey performed in 2015 among children in five European countries, bad taste of medicines, pain during administration, and difficulties in remembering to take drugs were the most commonly reported problems that may prevent appropriate drug use [8]. For this reason, we performed a questionnaire survey of children and parents addressing (A) their own experiences in pediatric drug administration and (B) their expectations of an ideal pediatric drug.…”