Tablets Slash Child Medicine Costs for NHS

Giving children with congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) tablets instead of liquid medicine presents a significant opportunity for NHS cost savings, potentially reducing expenses by tens of thousands of pounds per patient annually. Researchers at Great Ormond Street Hospital (Gosh) have demonstrated that patients as young as seven can effectively transition to tablet forms, with many expressing a preference over the taste of liquid medication.

The condition, affecting one in 30,000 to 40,000 children, requires patients to take diazoxide to stabilize blood sugar levels. Previously, this was administered as a liquid at a cost of £15.50 per 50mg, whereas tablet diazoxide costs a mere £1.15 per 50mg. This transition could yield savings of approximately £40,000 per patient yearly.

A Gosh project involving 19 patients aged seven to 13 confirmed the viability of this switch, monitoring blood glucose stability and patient experiences. Eleven-year-old Jess Manktelow, who has CHI, shared how the tablet form has simplified her life, reducing the burden of frequent liquid doses and eliminating issues with explaining her medication during travel.

Clinical nurse specialist Kate Morgan highlighted that beyond the financial savings, the quality-of-life improvements for children and their families were substantial and unanticipated. Consultant Dr. Antonia Dastamani added that this initiative has prompted crucial discussions about patient-reported outcomes, particularly regarding medication taste and patient involvement in their care, fostering greater independence for young patients.