[Application aids in pharmacotherapy]

The actual administration of pharmacotherapy is in most cases entirely up to the patient. Correct application can often be only achieved with application aids. They are already part of many preparations: printed blister packages, measures for dosing liquids, applicators for topical use, dosage sprays, and supports for eye drop containers. Special needs can be covered by additional application aids like dosage syringes for child medication, spacers for asthma sprays, devices for splitting or crunching tablets. Filling the medicines in containers better manageable by the patient, in week dispensers or week blisters, may also be crucial to guarantee correct dosing and regimen. Application aids often play a significant part in the success of a therapy. Needed are evidence based criteria for the selection of devices and instructions. Such criteria need to be developed because they are still largely lacking.