Pharmacists develop a cheeky solution for drug delivery

Conventional ways of administering medication — by swallowing tablets, consuming bitter syrups, injections or rectal insertions — can be distressing and unpleasant for some patients, especially young children or the elderly. Seeking to combat this, researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed easy-to-use oral films that enable painless, efficient and discreet drug administration.

The novel oral film releases drugs into the bloodstream via the mucosal membrane — the moist, inner lining of the mouth. Each oral film can be easily placed onto the inner cheek of the patient’s mouth and medication will be released into the bloodstream over a predetermined period of time.

This method of medication administration reduces the risk of choking, aspiration and rejection. Moreover, the manufacturing method of the films eliminates dosing errors commonly associated with multi-dose bottles of liquid medicine.

“Our oral film marks a significant milestone in patient-centric and personalised medicine, offering a safer and eco-friendly alternative to traditional drug delivery methods,” said research leader Associate Professor Chan Sui Yung. “The film is very easy to use, so patients are empowered with dignity and independence in managing their treatment from the comfort of their homes.”

Each oral film is small, thin and round — no larger than a coin in size — making it convenient to be carried around, distributed or stored in larger quantities at healthcare institutions. Additionally, the films have a low water content, so they have a longer shelf life compared to compounded liquid medicines.

The oral films are also easy to produce. Each film comprises a customised premix of ingredients formulated for a specific medication. These ingredients are added to the drug solution and an accurate volume of the required drug dosage is pipetted onto a mould. The resulting mixture is dried using a light-duty oven. This method of production uses fewer ingredients and smaller quantities of materials compared to traditional drug delivery methods, the researchers say — particularly those that require costly, single-use applicators and devices such as syringes, needles, inhalers and auto-injectors.

“Our films are compounded on-demand to ensure that they contain the precise dosage and strength for each patient, and then sealed in minimal packaging,” said Dr Tan Poh Leng, a student of Chan’s whose PhD work focused on oral films. “This streamlined approach to drug delivery not only saves time and money, but also reduces the environmental impact.”

Having already filed a provisional patent for their innovative approach, the researchers are currently developing and evaluating their film products for different medications, such as for antidotes, general medication and medication for pets, to prepare for regulatory filing in Singapore and the USA. Their first product will focus on medications for patients suffering from end-of-life delirium and anxiety, where comfort should be the top priority when delivering treatment. The film may also benefit epileptic patients, with more studies underway.

Through NUS startup PharLyfe+, which was founded by Chan and her students, the researchers aim to work with investors, regulatory experts, contract manufacturers and pharmaceutical marketers to commercialise their technology.

Top image: NUS researchers Chua Qi Shan, Associate Professor Chan Sui Yung and Dr Tan Poh Leng show samples of the oral films that they have developed for painless, efficient and discreet drug delivery.