Pharmacists Need More Pharmacotherapy Knowledge for Managing Down Syndrome

Although they exhibited a significant level of knowledge regarding patients with Down syndrome (DS), community pharmacists demonstrated a need for greater understanding of pharmacotherapy and patient counseling in the DS space, according to a study in Frontiers in Public Health.¹

“Effective DS management requires a multidisciplinary approach involving early intervention, continuous medical care, tailored education, and family support,” according to the authors of a study published in BMC Medical Education.² “Reports have shown that people with DS live an average of over 60 years, with no medication or surgery that can manage or cure DS.”

The cross-sectional study highlighted that although pharmacists are often the most accessible health care providers, a staggering 77.7% had received no previous training on interacting with or caring for individuals with DS.¹

This lack of training translates into significant gaps at the pharmacy counter. For instance, only 35.2% of participants felt they knew the correct dosing for these patients, and only 39.6% were aware of potential adverse drug effects associated with medications used in this population.

READ MORE: Pharmacists Want Prescribing Authority With Proper Training, Support

These findings are echoed in an additional study where only 27% of pharmacy students and practitioners achieved “good” knowledge scores, with the lowest performance occurring in the domains of DS causes and prevalence.²

Bridging these knowledge gaps is vital because DS, caused by the trisomy of chromosome 21, is the most prevalent genetic cause of intellectual disability worldwide and is associated with significant medical and social costs. Individuals with DS frequently face complex health challenges, including congenital heart defects, thyroid dysfunction such as hypothyroidism, and early-onset Alzheimer disease.^1-3

The Mayo Clinic emphasizes that health supervision must be continuous, addressing these comorbidities throughout the patient's life. Consequently, pharmacists are essential in managing the resulting polypharmacy, which often includes levothyroxine, cardiac drugs, and sleep aids.^1,2,4

The Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) notes that there is no single standard treatment, as care must be tailored to an individual’s specific physical and intellectual needs. However, managing these needs is complicated by the fact that genetic and physiological alterations associated with trisomy 21 can significantly impact drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.^1,2,5

These variations may influence drug metabolism and therapeutic response, making patients more susceptible to adverse reactions from common medications like sedatives or muscle relaxants. Despite these complexities, current pharmacological resources are often viewed as insufficient; many practitioners report that medication package inserts lack specific instructions or dosing guidelines for patients with DS.^1,2

Furthermore, the role of the pharmacist extends into the realm of prenatal care and family support. Progress in screening, such as the development of noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS) using maternal blood samples, has made early detection more standard.³

Pharmacists are well-positioned to provide information on the implications of these screenings and to assist families in navigating early intervention therapies, such as speech and occupational therapy, which are most effective when started shortly after birth.^1,2

There is a clear consensus within the profession that more education is required to meet these ethical and clinical duties. Over 90% of pharmacists surveyed in the BMC Medical Education study supported the integration of specialized DS courses into university curricula and advocated for mandatory continuing education.²

By enhancing competencies in DS pharmacotherapy and communication, pharmacists can move beyond simple dispensing to provide the equitable, patient-centered care that this population requires.

“Turkish community pharmacists demonstrated a good level of knowledge and positive attitudes toward DS,” concluded authors of the current study.¹ “However, gaps were identified in pharmacotherapy knowledge, as well as in patient education and counseling related to this condition.”

READ MORE: Pharmacists Essential for Managing Patient Safety in Self-Medication

REFERENCES

1. Al-Taie A, Yılmaz Z. Assessment of knowledge, attitudes, pharmacotherapy counseling, and patient education about Down syndrome among community pharmacists: a cross-sectional study. Front Public Health. 2026 Jun 29;14:1879369. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1879369.

2. Dmour I, Al-Hamaideh KD, Odeh M, et al. From classroom to the counter: exploring knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward Down syndrome among pharmacy students and pharmacists. BMC Med Educ. May 27, 2026. doi:10.1186/s12909-026-09513-z

3. Kazemi M, Salehi M, Kheirollahi M. Down syndrome: current status, challenges and future perspectives. Int J Mol Cell Med. 2016 Summer;5(3):125-133. Epub 2016 Aug 10.

4. Down syndrome. Mayo Clinic. November 12, 2024. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/down-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355983

5. What are common treatments for Down syndrome? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. February 16, 2024. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/down/conditioninfo/treatments