CHALLENGES DUE TO PHARMACEUTICAL DOSAGE FORM DESIGN AND ITS EFFECTS ON PATIENT CHOICES AND COMPLIANCE

Purpose: The study was carried out to evaluate public knowledge and dosage form preferences among adult participants, assess patient’s choices of dosage forms in drug therapy and demonstrate the association of the respondent demographic variables and dosage form preference. Methods: This study focused on the general population. A pre-tested standardized questionnaire was converted to Google form and distributed to various social media platforms including Instagram, X, WhatsApp and Facebook in March, 2024. Participants were encouraged to provide answers to the questions until over 500 responses were recorded. Responses were evaluated for demographics, knowledge and choices associated with their use of drug dosage forms. Results: The analysis of the association between demographic variables and patients' dosage form preferences showed that participants exhibited varying preferences with statistically significant associations (p < 0.05) for specific dosage forms. Educational status, religion, and occupation demonstrated no significant association (p > 0.05) with dosage form preferences, suggesting that patients' educational backgrounds, religion, and occupation may not be decisive factors in determining their preferences. Participants’ income however demonstrated a statistically significant association (p = 0.020) with dosage form preferences, suggesting that individuals with different income levels may have distinct preferences for specific dosage forms. Overall, these findings underscore the complexity of factors influencing dosage form preferences and emphasize the importance of personalized approaches in medication formulations to cater to the diverse needs of patient populations.Conclusion: Considering diverse demographic factors and individual preferences in formulating medications influences patients choices and compliance