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Path towards efficient paediatric formulation development based on partnering with clinical pharmacologists and clinicians, a c4c expert group White paper.
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  • Jennifer Walsh,
  • Daniel Schaufelberger,
  • Sonia Lurian,
  • Sandra Klein,
  • Hannah Batchelor,
  • Roy Turner,
  • Sveinbjörn Gizurarson,
  • Luigi Boltri,
  • Elisa Alessandrini,
  • Catherine Tuleu
Jennifer Walsh
Jenny Walsh Consulting Ltd

Corresponding Author:jenny@jennywalshconsulting.com

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Daniel Schaufelberger
2. Schaufelberger Consulting LLC
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Sonia Lurian
Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy
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Sandra Klein
Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Universitat Greifswald Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultat
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Hannah Batchelor
University of Strathclyde
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Roy Turner
Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd
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Sveinbjörn Gizurarson
University of Iceland
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Luigi Boltri
Adare Pharmaceuticals
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Elisa Alessandrini
UCL School of Pharmacy
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Catherine Tuleu
University College London School of Pharmacy
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Abstract

Improved global access to novel age-appropriate formulations for paediatric subsets, either of new chemical entities or existing drugs, is a priority to ensure that medicines meet the needs of these patients. However, despite regulatory incentives, the introduction to the market of paediatric formulations still lags behind adult products. This is mainly caused by additional complexities associated with the development of acceptable age-appropriate paediatric medicines. This position paper proposes the use of a paediatric Quality Target Product Profile (pQTPP) as an efficient tool to facilitate early planning and decision making during the children-centric formulation design for new chemical entities, or to repurpose/reformulate off-patent drugs. Essential key attributes of a paediatric formulation are suggested and described. Moreover, greater collaboration between formulation experts and clinical colleagues, including healthcare professionals, is advocated to lead to safe and effective, age-appropriate medicinal products. Acceptability testing should be a secondary endpoint in paediatric clinical trials to ensure post-marketing adherence is not compromised by a lack of acceptability. Not knowing the indications and the related age groups and potential dosing regimens early enough is still a major hurdle for efficient paediatric formulation development; however the proposed pQTPP could be a valuable collaborative tool for planning and decision making to expedite paediatric product development.
02 Apr 2021Submitted to British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
12 Apr 2021Submission Checks Completed
12 Apr 2021Assigned to Editor
22 Apr 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
10 May 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
18 May 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
10 Jun 20211st Revision Received
18 Jun 2021Submission Checks Completed
18 Jun 2021Assigned to Editor
18 Jun 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
30 Jun 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
08 Jul 2021Editorial Decision: Accept