3D printed medicine could help reduce risks of taking multiple drugs a day

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Queensland researchers are looking at how 3D printers could help reduce the risks associated with taking multiple drugs a day, by combining them into a single tablet.

Transcript

00:003D printers can create just about everything, from toys to teeth moulds, even body parts.

00:09Now Queensland pharmacists hope to use the technology to make a so-called polypill, combining

00:15multiple drugs into one tablet.

00:18Printing layer by layer, we could have each layer be a different medication, so we can

00:24print a variety of medications into the same tablet to really simplify that whole regimen.

00:29So we could go from 30 tablets down to maybe one.

00:33Lowering the risk of under or overdosing.

00:36Take three to five to six drugs within one pill with a different release profile targeting

00:42different organs as well and that would really reduce the burden on the elderly as well as

00:47also increase the patient adherence.

00:49The project aims to help people who are blind or vision impaired by personalising their

00:55daily medication.

00:56We could change the colour to make things more identifiable.

01:00We can also add symbols like the sun or moon, say this is your morning and night time dose

01:04or we can just directly print braille onto the top or sides of tablets.

01:08And could help improve access for rural and remote communities.

01:12Yeah I think 3D printing really has a lot to offer for Aboriginal communities and peoples.

01:18We know that the burden of chronic diseases which often require a lot of medications is

01:22higher in these populations and I see that a lot of the time working with my patients.

01:26While clinical trials have been carried out overseas, it's still unclear how the Therapeutic

01:30Goods Administration will regulate 3D printed medicines.

01:35Researchers here say while Australia is catching up, it'll be a few years yet before these

01:41polypills could be used.

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