The rectal route of medicine administration for children: Let's get to the bottom of it!

Sara M Hanning; Erin Walker; Elâ Sutcliffe; Catherine Tuleu; with the London Generation R Young Persons Advisory Group

doi:10.1016/j.ejpb.2020.09.015

The rectal route of medicine administration for children: Let's get to the bottom of it!

Eur J Pharm Biopharm. 2020 Dec:157:25-27. doi: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2020.09.015. Epub 2020 Oct 3.

Authors

Sara M Hanning¹, Erin Walker², Elâ Sutcliffe³, Catherine Tuleu⁴; with the London Generation R Young Persons Advisory Group³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK; School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, New Zealand. Electronic address: s.hanning@auckland.ac.nz.
² Biomedical Research Centre, Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College London, London, UK.
³ London Generation R Young Persons Advisory Group, Biomedical Research Centre, Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College London, London, UK.
⁴ Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, London, UK.

PMID: 33022390
DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2020.09.015

Abstract

Aims: Research around paediatric rectal drug delivery has previously been based on views of parents and healthcare workers. The aim of this exploratory study was to gauge whether children and young adults in the UK were comfortable with the idea of rectal drug delivery.

Methods: Eleven children from a pre-existing patient and public advisory group were involved in the session. Rectal drug delivery was explained and group participants were asked a series of questions. Responses were discussed in a group and recorded individually.

Results: Of the group, 27% would consider the rectal route, while 64% said it depended on other options available. The primary concern focused on potential for abusive misuse by others. Participants thought this would be overcome if the child could self-administer, although there was also concern about the process of self-administration.

Conclusions: Not all children in the UK are against rectal drug delivery, but education is needed to teach children to self-administer medication in this way.

Keywords: Drug delivery; Paediatrics; Patient and public involvement; Rectal route.

MeSH terms

Administration, Rectal
Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior
Age Factors
Child
Child Behavior
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Humans
Male
Patient Acceptance of Health Care*
Patient Education as Topic
Patient Preference*
Pharmaceutical Preparations / administration & dosage*
Self Administration

Substances

Pharmaceutical Preparations