Abstract
A simple suspension method is widely used in clinical practice to administer oral medications through a feeding tube. Previously, the interview form (IF) lacked sufficient information regarding the feasibility of administering a medication using this simple suspension method. However, the December 2019 revision to the IF description guidelines allowed for the inclusion of information on the properties of disintegration or suspension and tube passage for the tubal administration of medications. In this study, the “description of information on the properties of disintegration or suspension and tube passage for the tubal administration of medications” in the IF was considered as “information on simple suspension method.” A total of 323 products using medications listed in Japan’s National Health Insurance Drug Price Standards from January to December 2020 were surveyed for their description of the simple suspension method. The following items were mentioned: (1) disintegration or suspension and tube passage properties for tubal drug administration, (2) suspension stability, (3) pH of suspension, (4) enquire individually, (5) no relevant data, and (6) not applicable. In total, 148 (45.8%) products had statements, of which 26 (8.0%) were enquire individually, 21 (6.5%) had no relevant data, 1 (0.3%) was not applicable, and 100 (31.0%）confirmed whether they could be administered using simple suspension method based on the IF. In products with information on whether they could be administered using the simple suspension method, the time required for disintegration or suspension in hot water at 55℃ and tube diameter was confirmed; however, the description of the test method and the determination of results were not standardized. In conclusion, the results suggest that obtaining appropriate information on whether drugs can be administered using simple suspension method from the IF is difficult, and that a unified standard for the description of simple suspension methods is desirable.
