EFFECTS OF SCULPTURAL CONFIGURATION OF TABLETS ON CONSUMERS’ ACCEPTABILITY OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE MEDICINES IN A TERTIARY HEALTH INSTITUTION
NKEIRUKA GRACE OSUAFOR1*, CHIKELUE CHRIS AKABUIKE2, SYLVESTER OKHUELEGBE ERAGA3
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria.
- Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Faculty of Arts, University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
Afr. J Pharm Res Dev; Volume 17(3): 350-356 ; 2025
ABSTRACT
Acceptability of antihypertensive medicines will prevent disease progression and improve adherence and treatment outcome among hypertensive patients. Sculptural design (colours, shapes, sizes) has affected most of the works of humanity including the design of pharmaceutical dosage forms especially tablets. The sculptural designs and packaging of antihypertensive tablets may affect patient acceptability. The study assessed the effects of sculptural configuration of tablets on consumer’s acceptability of antihypertensive medicines in a tertiary hospital in Southeast Nigeria. The study was a cross-sectional survey of hypertensive patients receiving medication under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) from the Pharmacy Unit of the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia between April to August 2021. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on demographics, preferences of tablet’s shapes and sizes, as well as other preferred dosage form for antihypertensive medicines. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics using IBM SPSS version 23. Data for 285 patients were analysed, and most of them were males 200 (70.2%) and have tertiary education 190 (66.7%). Small sized (8.05 mm) tablets were mostly preferred by 209 (73.3%) of the patients. More than half (171 (60%)) of the respondents felt small sized tablet will produce the best antihypertensive effect while 19 (6.7%) of them choose large sized tablets for best antihypertensive effects. Round shaped tablets were the most preferred first option 190 (66.7%) for the patients and 133(46.7%) choose only round tablet as the shape of preferred antihypertensive medicine. A higher proportion 190 (66.7%) choose capsule as another preferred dosage form. The most preferred tablet configuration among the respondents was small sized and round shaped tablets. Capsules are also acceptable dosage form for patients of antihypertensive drugs. The sculptural design for antihypertensive tablet should encompass round shaped small sized tablets.
Keywords: Size, Shape, Hypertensive patients, Aesthetic, Medicine, Acceptability
Email of correspondence: nkeiruka.osuafor@uniabuja.edu.ng,
https://doi.org/10.59493/ajopred/2025.3.11 ISSN: 0794-800X (print); 1596-2431 (online)