A preliminary study to assess knowledge, preferences, and perception of adult population of Karachi about scored and colored oral solid dosage form

Beyond the pharmacological activity, the differences have been observed in the preferences of solid dosage form on the basis of color and swallowing difficulty in the studies conducted by a different researcher. The aim of the study is to insight the perception of the general population of Karachi about the color, scoring and splitting of tablets. A convenience sampling technique was used to collect data. Knowledge, attitude and practices of the participants regarding oral solid dosage form have been evaluated through a structured close-ended questionnaire. The color perception was pursued by asking questions to the participants about the association of color with effectiveness, identification, safety and onset of action. The scoring perception was also inquired focusing on the association of scoring on the convenience of splitting, their effect on the dose, type of tablet subjected to splitting and further consequences of splitting. Among 426 respondents, 248 participants were not aware of the type of medicine subjected to be splitting. Approximately half of the respondents (N=221) agreed with the point of view that ease of swallowing is one of the reasons for pill-splitting. The study provided preliminary data about color perception, scoring and splitting of tablet dosage form that can be beneficial for future research. Key words: Scored tablet, color perception, pill splitting, oral solid dosage form, Karachi.