SP3 Optimising prescribing of medicines to children by formulary interface pharmacists
Authors: Christiansen Nanna 
Published: June 2023

Context

Unlicensed and off label drug use in children is common and leads to well recognised problems. It has been shown that there is an association between unlicensed drug use in children and particularly neonates, and increased risks of medication errors, due to prescribing, dispensing and administration.1Alongside this, the variation in strengths of oral liquid products, adds to the potential for harm to be caused to children due to a lack of awareness and education on these issues.

Quality improvement initiative

A UK CCG funded two specialist paediatric pharmacist posts with the aim of rationalising, standardising, and optimising the prescribing of unlicensed medicines to children. The aim was that these pharmacists would create an interface link between primary and secondary care, to empower healthcare professionals to prescribe and supply medicines to children safely and effectively.

Work undertaken ePACT2 prescribing data highlighting variation in strength, formulation and cost of unlicensed medicines supplied; feedback from colleagues across all sectors of healthcare; NPPG position statements and MHRA alerts were used to identify areas to focus interventions. Examples of the work undertaken includes:

Led webinars on prescribing medicines to children to healthcare professionals across the CCG

Met with ~70% of GP practices, either individually or as groups e.g. PCNs across the CCG

Initiated standardisation of liquid strengths kept across 3 hospital trust and primary care

Identified areas for medication safety team work e.g. prescribing of multiple strengths of medicines to children, prescribing of alcohol–containing phenobarbital to children

Worked with CCG Medication Safety Officers to provide a response, advice and information on MHRA alerts e.g. chloral hydrate prescribing to children

Worked with medicines optimisation CCG teams on communication tools e.g. bulletins

Created a paediatric guidelines and pathways section on the CCG webpage

Created a paediatric formulary pharmacist group with representatives across all 3 hospital trusts to meet monthly and foster collaborative working.

Measure of improvement

Through regular feedback, meetings, and email communication it can be noted that the links between primary and secondary care have been strengthened. Praise has been received for the help and support provided and for the openness to amend and adjust work plans based on the priorities and needs of the CCG. Through monthly ePACT2 data in the form of excel specials dashboard the reduction in variation of strengths being supplied to children can be seen, with in most cases an accompanying reduction in spend.

Lessons learned

Although much has been publicised on the importance of nationally standardising concentrations of liquid medicines2, this initiative has shown that there is still much work to be done. Dedicated pharmacists have been able to make progress in standardising the range of unlicensed medicines recommended in the local formulary and ensure that this is well communicated across both primary and secondary care. Interface links between care settings are vital if we are to achieve substantial harmonisation of medicines prescribed to children.

References

Conroy S. Association between licence status and medication errors.Arch Dis Child2011;96:305-306.

Rawlence E,et al. Is the provision of paediatric oral liquid unlicensed medicines safe?Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed.2018;103:310-3.