A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR HELPS THE MEDICINE GO DOWN - PERSPECTIVES ON THE USE OF SUGAR IN CHILDRENS MEDICINES

This analysis examines the policy issues involved in the removal of su gar from paediatric medicines. It reports a study which investigates t he perspectives of professionals, consumers, and the pharmaceutical in dustry. Interviews were conducted with: parents of children receiving long term medication, dental professionals involved in influencing pol icy or caring for such children, and drug companies who produce medica tion for long term use by children. Results showed that the parent gro up preferred the tablet over the liquid form of medication; this was a lso considered acceptable by the key dental professionals interviewed. The removal of sugar from liquid medicine (rather than the alternativ e use of smaller tablets) was not therefore a policy generally preferr ed by the groups involved in the issue. It was concluded that the sing ular concern of the dentist, doctors and pharmacists to remove sugar f rom liquid paediatric medicines was a reflection of their altruistic i ntentions. The limited biomedical perspective of clinically trained oc cupations prevented them from exploring the wider issues of the variou s needs of consumers. Thus, the analysis highlights the problems which have been introduced by professional dominance in the issue of medica tion caries.