Paediatric drug dosage forms. Novel products and development projects

Paediatric formulations are a basic requirement for an effective and safe drug therapy in children and adolescents. While there is still a lack in the supplement of drug dosage forms appropriate for children, some pharmaceutical companies have started to develop novel products with innovative drug formulations. Beside liquid compositions with improved taste properties, various solid drug dosage forms with small dimensions have been developed that are also appropriate for infants. They allow a complete taste masking and a controlled drug release in the child's gastrointestinal tract. Additional developments in the area of dosing instruments and devices make the solid drug dosage forms more attractive. In the coming years more innovations in paediatric drug dosage forms are expected.