[e-drug] Splitting of fixed dose combination tablets? (3)

["Edwine Barasa" <edwine.halton@gmail.com>]

E-DRUG: Splitting of fixed dose combination tablets? (3)
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Dear e-druggers,

When it comes to FDCs and Children, we are stuck between a rock and a hard place. As a pharmacist in a pediatric hospital in a developing country, medicines supply for ARVs and anti-TBs is often donor funded and from generic manufacturer, there have been questions about the pharmacokinetic profile of these FDCs and whether they are bio-equivalent to the Innovator products, add that to splitting of tablets (which we have to do for children) then you have yourself to many variables.

It is technically irrational to split FDCs, but that seems to be a viable option in resource poor settings to assure access to these essential medicines to our children. Another option would be to resort to extemporaneous compounding, but even this has its challenges since most establishments lack the technical skills required and quality assurance structures,

The way forward is two pronged,

- lobby for Multinationals to explore research in pediatric    formulations and donor organizations fund such research.
- promote rational and quality assured compounding for essential medicines

regards,

Dr Barasa W. Edwine
Drug Information Pharmacist
Gertrudes Gardens Children?s Hospital
Nairobi
Kenya
edwine.halton@gmail.com