Lab test could help develop easy to swallow medicines

Scientists have developed an innovative test that could help to develop easy to swallow medicines for children and older people.

Researchers at the University of Surrey and University of College London developed the test to examine how small multi-particulates can ease the travel of medicine from the mouth into the throat and body.

The new test lets scientists easily screen different compositions of the carrier liquid and concentration of the particulates, in order to make swallowing as easy as possible.

Dr Marco Ramaioli, senior lecturer at the University of Surrey and co-author of the study, said: “Many young children and older people find conventional tablets hard to swallow – making it difficult for them to complete drug therapy. We hope that this in vitro method, together with sensory tests, will help to develop novel medicines that could improve the lives of many people across the world.”

Professor Catherine Tuleu from UCL School of Pharmacy commented: “It is exciting to see advancements in age appropriate medicine design such as multi-particulate systems but successful therapeutic outcomes rely on the development of appropriate administration vehicles.”

Dr Mine Orlu, also from UCL School of Pharmacy, added: “The availability of predictive models to characterise the promising formulation platforms early during medicine development is key to producing medicines that are easier to take for patients with different swallowing capabilities.”