“We’ve managed to find our own path of how we do it”: exploring parental perceptions of using age-inappropriate formulations at home—a qualitative study

These findings highlight the emotional and practical burdens families face when administering age-inappropriate medicines, including the time and effort required to ensure accurate dosing and safe administration. The study emphasises the need for increased access to child-appropriate formulations of essential medicines and more child-centred prescribing practices. Where legacy medicines remain the only option, healthcare professionals can support children to safely swallow solid oral dosage forms, such as tablets, and educate families on safe medicine manipulation. Further research is needed to better understand the magnitude of these burdens and guide future paediatric formulation development.