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9_MVYWOHYTHOHUKSPUN The material matters in material handling 4-.=0(3;9(@ Won't bend, dent or deflect under heavy loads Smooth surface is easily cleaned Easy integration with process equipment More economical than metal; more durable than plastic Reinforced composites bring a whole new level of performance to the pharmaceutical industry. And the leading name in FRP is MFG. Call toll-free (800) 458-6050 or visit www.mfgtray.com. 4-..,3*(7;9(@ mat atte te te te te ters rs rs rs rs rs rs i i i i i i in n n n n n n ma ma ma ma m te te te t ri rial a han 9LVLWXVDW 3DFN([SR %RRWK6 6XSSO\6LGH:HVW %RRWK $$36 %RRWK Taking advantage of trends The survey showed that 92 percent of the American respondents have experience with conventional tablets and capsules, and many Americans are aware of user-friendly dosage forms, even though fewer have tried them. Still, people seem open to the alternatives. ODGs appear to be the least known dosage form, which could cause companies to hesitate formulating ODG drug products. Or it could be an opportunity for companies to show that they're innova- tive and to differentiate themselves from competitors. As patients become more involved in selecting their medicines, the pharmaceutical industry should start listen- ing to what they want. In so doing, you will be better posi- tioned to compete in the growing over-the-counter (OTC) market, which could exceed $106 billion worldwide by 2017 [6]. Even now, people frequently turn to OTCs or dietary supplements instead of consulting a doctor and get- ting a prescription. OTCs provide people with round-the- clock access to treatment and allow them to choose. On average, US consumers make 26 trips a year to purchase OTC products, but they visit doctors only three times yearly, and the average US household spends about $340 per year on OTCs [7]. With user-friendly dosage forms already known to a rela- tively large number of people, companies producing OTCs should take advantage of—and even advance—the recent trends in preference and purchasing habits. There is a large market to be tapped by companies with the willingness and know-how. T&C References 1. Commissioned by Hermes Pharma and conducted by Spiegel Institut, Mannheim, Germany. For more informa- tion, see: swallowingtablets.com. 2. K.V. Juul, C. Van Herzeele, P. De Bruyne, S. Goble, J. Vande Walle, and J.P. Nørgaard, "Desmopressin melt improves response and compliance compared with tablet in treatment of primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enure- sis," Eur J Pediatr. 2013 Sep; 172(9):1235-42. 3. R. Panigrahi, S. Behera, and C. Panda, "A review on fast dissolving tablets," WebmedCentral Pharm Sci. 2010; 1(11): 1-15. 4. E. Calvo-Cidoncha, J. González-Bueno, C.V. Almeida-González, and R. Morillo-Verdugo, "Influence of treatment complexity on adherence and incidence of blips in HIV/HCV coinfected patients," J Manag Care Spec Pharm. 2015 Feb; 21(2):153-7. 5. M. Viswanathan, C.E. Golin, C.D. Jones, M. Ashok, S.J. Blalock, R.C.M. Wines, E.J.L. Coker-Schwimmer, D.L. Rosen, P. Sista, and K.N. Lohr, "Interventions to improve adherence to self-administered medications for chronic dis- eases in the United States: A systematic review," Ann Intern Med. 2012 Dec 4; 157(11):785-95. 6. Visiongain, "World OTC pharmaceutical market 2013-2023," August 8, 2013. www.visiongain.com/Report/ 1125/World-OTC-Pharmaceutical-Market-2013-2023. Accessed August 3, 2015. 7. CHPA, "Statistics on OTC use," 2015. www.chpa. org/marketstats.aspx. Accessed August 3, 2015. Thomas Hein is senior vice president of commercial and regulatory affairs at Hermes Pharma, Georg-Kalb-Strasse 5-8, 82049 Pul- lach, Germany. Tel. +49 89 79 102 261. Website: www.hermes- pharma.com. The company specializes in the formulation and man- ufacture of alternative solid dosage forms. It plans to expand its presence in the US market and has assigned a team to offer expertise in effervescent and chewable tablets, as well as instant drinks, lozenges, and ODGs. 36 September 2015 Tablets & Capsules Find past articles at www.tabletscapsules.com. Click on Article Index. Need info? New subscriber?