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European Paediatric Formulation Initiative (EuPFI)-Formulating Ideas for Better Medicines for Children
Smita Salunke1, Fang Liu2, Hannah Batchelor3
1Department of Pharmaceutics & Centre for Paediatric Pharmacy Research, UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AX, UK. s.salunke@ucl.ac.uk.
Insights
The European Paediatric Formulation Initiative (EuPFI) advances safe pediatric medicines by uniting researchers, industry, and regulators. This collaborative effort addresses knowledge gaps and drives innovation in age-appropriate drug development.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Pediatric Drug Development
- Regulatory Science
Background:
- Established in 2007, the European Paediatric Formulation Initiative (EuPFI) bridges research and information dissemination for pediatric medicines.
- EuPFI operates as a collaborative platform involving industry, academia, hospitals, and regulatory bodies.
- Its formation coincided with EU and US regulations, fostering a community dedicated to advancing pediatric drug formulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To promote and facilitate the development of safer and more effective medicines for children.
- To foster a comprehensive understanding of critical issues in pediatric medicine.
- To drive progress in the field of age-appropriate medicines for pediatric populations.
Main Methods:
- Facilitating collaboration through a common platform for diverse stakeholders.
- Organizing annual conferences and disseminating research through publications.
- Directing specific work packages through five specialized workstreams: age-appropriate medicines, biopharmaceutics, administration devices, excipients, and taste assessment & masking (TATM).
Main Results:
- EuPFI has grown in membership and reach since 2007, adapting to evolving research needs.
- Active stakeholder involvement is crucial for addressing knowledge gaps in pediatric medicines.
- The initiative successfully identifies areas for future research and highlights issues requiring further analysis.
Conclusions:
- EuPFI plays a vital role in advancing pediatric medicine formulation and development.
- Collaboration and stakeholder engagement are key to overcoming challenges in pediatric drug development.
- Continued focus on research, dissemination, and addressing knowledge gaps will shape the future of pediatric medicines.
Abstract:
The European Paediatric Formulation Initiative (EuPFI), founded in 2007, aims to promote and facilitate the preparation of better and safe medicines for children through linking research and information dissemination. It brings together the capabilities of the industry, academics, hospitals, and regulators within a common platform in order to scope the solid understanding of the major issues, which will underpin the progress towards the future of paediatric medicines we want.The EuPFI was formed in parallel to the adoption of regulations within the EU and USA and has served as a community that drives research and dissemination through publications and the organisation of annual conferences. The membership and reach of this group have grown since its inception in 2007 and continue to develop and evolve to meet the continuing needs and ambitions of research into and development of age appropriate medicines. Five diverse workstreams (age-appropriate medicines, Biopharmaceutics, Administration Devices, Excipients and Taste Assessment & Taste Masking (TATM)) direct specific workpackages on behalf of the EuPFI. Furthermore, EuPFI interacts with multiple diverse professional groups across the globe to ensure efficient working in the area of paediatric medicines. Strong commitment and active involvement of all EuPFI stakeholders have proved to be vital to effectively address knowledge gaps related to paediatric medicines, discuss potential areas for further research and identify issues that need more attention and analysis in the future.