An in-depth discussion on the expanded utility of suppositories in clinical pharmacy practice was the main thrust of a roundtable held in Seattle, Washington on November 12, 1998. Educational funding for this event was underwritten by G&W Laboratories, Inc. An overview of current and future suppository applications was provided by Edgar R. Gonzalez, Pharm.D., FASHP, FASCP, Associate Professor of Pharmacy and Emergency Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA. The roundtable was comprised of five pharmacists from various practice settings and was moderated by Angele C. D'Angelo, Editor-in-Chief of U.S. Pharmacist. This article provides a synopsis of Dr. Gonzalez's presentation as well as highlights of the dialogue from the roundtable panelists.

INTRODUCTION

Suppositories are a very feasible route of administration for medication. The presumed vanity of Americans has seemingly deterred healthcare professionals in the United States from using suppositories more frequently as a means of delivering medications. In contrast, most Europeans have no qualms about using suppositories. It is well recognized that over-the-counter therapy with suppositories is an enormously large market. Healthcare professionals and patients alike can easily find astringent OTCs for hemorrhoids, anti-pruritics, antiseptics, emollients, and vasoconstrictors that are available in suppository form. The fact that this market is growing indicates that Americans are willing to utilize suppositories.