Children’s Preferences for Oral Dosage Forms and Their Involvement in Formulation Research via EPTRI (European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure)

Abstract

The paucity of evidence-based data on formulation characteristics preferred by the children is known to limit the design of tailored paediatric dosage forms. The European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure (EPTRI) commissioned a study to evaluate children’s dosage forms perceived preferences in some European countries and explore the feasibility of using the young persons advisory groups (YPAGs) to involve children in formulation research. An online, age-adapted survey was developed and translated into six languages. The survey link was disseminated across seven European countries: Albania, Italy, the Netherlands, and Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, Romania, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Respondents’ (n = 1172) perceived preferences for oral dosage forms primarily differed based on age, health status, and experience. Conventional dosage forms, i.e., liquid (35%), tablets (19%), and capsules (14%), were the most selected. Liquid was widely selected by children less than 12 years and by those healthy and taking medicines rarely. Monolithic solid forms were mostly chosen by adolescents and by children with a chronic disease taking medicines frequently. There was a clear lack of familiarity with more novel dosage forms (e.g., orodispersible films and granules). Noteworthy, granules were not appreciated, particularly by adolescents (52.8%). To rationalise the creation of paediatric formulations, it is important to involve children as active stakeholders and to apply tools assessing children’s perspectives on medicines to inform acceptable dosage form development from the start.

Swallowability of Minitablets among Children Aged 6–23 Months: An Exploratory, Randomized Crossover Study

“…As reported by Saito et al [17], parents and nurses often dissolve or disperse powder formulations in water for children. Alessandrini et al also reported that liquid formulations were widely selected by children less than 12 years and granules were not appreciated, particularly by adolescents [18]. In this study, many parents also dispersed the fine granules in water and administered them.…”

Mini-Tablets: A Valid Strategy to Combine Efficacy and Safety in Pediatrics

“…The main issues and concerns regarding the use of the most common pediatric solid and liquid dosage forms are summarized in Figure 4. In this regard, the European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure (EPTRI) project commissioned a case study aimed at collecting information about children and adolescents' experiences and preferences for oral dosage forms across various European countries (the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Albania, Romania, the Netherlands, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, Czech Republic, and Sweden) [41]. Overall, liquids were the most used and favored dosage forms.…”

“…On the contrary, tablets and capsules, were mostly chosen by adolescents and children taking medicines more frequently. Granules were the last option among adolescents, thus resulting in the least appreciated formulation together with the oro-dispersible films, probably due to the lack of In this regard, the European Paediatric Translational Research Infrastructure (EPTRI) project commissioned a case study aimed at collecting information about children and adolescents' experiences and preferences for oral dosage forms across various European countries (the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Albania, Romania, the Netherlands, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium, Czech Republic, and Sweden) [41]. Overall, liquids were the most used and favored dosage forms.…”

Personalised Tasted Masked Chewable 3D Printed Fruit-Chews for Paediatric Patients

“…The ability of children to swallow oral dosage forms causes great concerns in terms of medication adherence according to Lopez et al Hence chewable tablets imitating flavour gummy sweets are expected to improve paediatric patient adherence and dose palatability [ 22 ]. According to various studies in paediatric populations, chewable tablets are preferred for children from 5–12 years but they are also attractive for adolescents from 10–19 years old [ 23 ].…”