What
is FlavoR(x)?
FlavoR(x) is a fon-nulary system that allows pharmacists to offer liquid
medications in the patients choice of 20 to 40 flavors depending on
the medication.
Why
was this product developed?
Necessity really is the mother of invention in this case! Several
years ago the developer was having a great deal of trouble with the
problem of giving his youngest daughter her medication, which she had
to take several times a day on a daily basis for a seizure disorder.
Each dose was a struggle and took an incredible amount of time to give
to her. By the time they finally got her to take her first dose, it was
time to start again with her second dose. At this point, he realized
he had to do something to make everybody's life easier. They had some flavorings in the
drug store
which he started to experiment with to make flavored medications. He started
talking with pediatricians and other parents to find out if they had
similar problems. The common consensus is that there really is a problem
administering medication to patients due to its distaste. With
extensive direct training from the developer of the FlavoR(x) system,
Betty and I knew this was a solution we wanted to bring here to
Trussville.
Does
FlavoR(x) affect the compliance of children taking medication?
Absolutely, our patients have about a 98% rate of compliance
of taking all of their doses. This happens for many reasons. In our
program, the child becomes completely immersed in the whole process.
They first choose their favorite flavor from a large flavor menu that
hangs from the ceiling, similar to the menu in our ice cream fountain.
After the medicine is prepared in that flavor, we let the child take a
taste test of a drop of the medication to make sure it is to his or her
preference. If the child is not sure they like the taste, we can make
the appropriate adjustments at that time.
Is
this formulary system used solely for children's medications?
Initially, FlavoR(x) was used extensively in children's medications. However,
we have had so many calls from pharmacists stating that their adult
and elderly patients have similar problems with the bad taste of their
medication. We saw no reason that their medicine shouldn't taste more
palatable, so we work on a formulary for adult and geriatric
preparations or even your pets.
If
this medicine tastes good, doesn't it pose the problem of the child
taking too much?
No, our formulas make these medications taste more palatable, so
the patient can more easily take and swallow these preparations. None
of them taste like candy, as this could prove to be dangerous for
children.
In
the case of lack of compliance in patients, isn't this really
a discipline problem?
Not in the majority of the cases. These medications for the
most part taste pretty bad. Betty and I know because we have tasted every single
medication in our formulary. When the child or adult is gagging and throwing
it back up, it definitely is a taste problem not a discipline problem.
What
flavors are the most requested and what is the strangest request you
have gotten?
Amongst children, bubblegum is the favorite. Of course, the
fruit flavors are popular also. We also offer pina colada and to some
their favorite - peach and licorice. Over the years, we have gotten
some strange requests such as a child who wanted macaroni and cheese
flavor which we find pets also like.
So
have we used this system in conjunction with veterinary medicine?
That sounds funny but yes, we have. We
have received many requests from vets. Animals can detect medication
and will refuse to take it. From working with these animals, we have
discovered that different animals like different flavors. We have done
extensive research about the likings of animal tastes. We are now o1ffering
a veterinary package complete with animal flavorings and a detailed
chart that outlines which flavors work best for each animal group.
Where is the FlavoR(x)
system available for people who are having this problem?
Currently, the system we use, the FlavoR(x) system, is used in over 350 independent pharmacies
across the country.
