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Patient experiences with the performance of tablet score lines needed for dosing
Nienke Rodenhuis1, Peter A de Smet, Dirk M Barends
1National Institute of Public Health and the Environment, Antonie van Leeuwenhoeklaan 9, P.O. Box 1, 3720 BA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands. nienke.rodenhuis@rivm.nl
Objective:
The aim of this study was to measure the experience of patients with score line tablets where breaking was necessary for dosing.
Method:
In three community pharmacies in the Netherlands, patients were asked about their experiences with the functioning of the score line. The survey was restricted to scored tablets that had to be broken to obtain the prescribed dose. It was also asked what actions were taken by the patient when breaking problems were encountered.
Results:
Of all the score line prescriptions included in the study, 36% received a negative evaluation by the patient. The main negative experiences were related to loss of mass after breaking the tablets and difficulty in breaking, reported in 32% and 15%, respectively, of the prescriptions included in the study. In only 28% of the negative experiences had this been reported back to the pharmacy.
Conclusion:
Many patients experience an unsatisfactory performance of tablets with score lines. Improvement will need a combination of technically better score lines and the alertness of the dispensing pharmacy for breaking problems.