Oral Thin Strips: A Solution to Non-Compliance in Pediatric and Geriatric Patient Care

Medication adherence is crucial for effective healthcare, but many patients, particularly infants, toddlers, young adults, and older adults face challenges in taking medications as prescribed. These groups often encounter unique barriers to hinder compliance. Sensory and psychological factors contribute to non-compliance, making it essential for pediatric and geriatric departments to prioritize strategies for improving adherence.

When swallowing is difficult, Oral Thin Film products such as Oral Thin Strips offer a promising solution. These products provide a user-friendly and effective alternative to traditional medications, leading to successful treatment outcomes. Recent usage in both the pediatric and geriatric fields has significantly improved medication adherence.

‍

Understanding Medication Non-Compliance in Pediatrics and Geriatrics

Pediatric Challenges:

• Difficulty Swallowing Pills or Tablets: Young patients often struggle to swallow pills or tablets due to sensory challenges.
• Aversion to the Taste and Size of Traditional Medications: Many children find traditional medications unappealing because of their unpleasant taste or large size.
• Anxiety or Fear Associated with Taking Medicine: Children may feel anxious or fearful when taking medicines especially if the are unfamiliar with the process.

Geriatric Challenges:

• Physical Difficulties: Many elderly patients experience difficulty swallowing, known as dysphagia, which makes large pills hard to take.
• Forgetfulness or Confusion: Cognitive impairments, such as dementia, often cause elderly patients to forget or become confused about their medication routine.
• Complex Medication Regimens Causing Non-Adherence: Complex medication regimes can confuse elderly patients leading to non-adherence.

‍

What are Oral Thin Strips?

Oral Thin Strips are a novel drug delivery system made of ultra-thin, dissolvable films that deliver medication directly through the mucous membranes in the mouth. They dissolve quickly on the tongue, offering an easy and convenient alternative to traditional pills or tablets. To use an Oral Thin Strip, simply place it on the tongue, where it dissolves within seconds, eliminating the need for water.

Composition: These strips use water-soluble polymers to dissolve efficiently without water. Manufacturers commonly use materials like hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and other film-forming agents to ensure the strips are thin, flexible, and effective in delivering medication. Flavoring agents and stabilizers enhance the user experience and improve the durability of the strips. This material composition ensures rapid absorption of active ingredients.

‍

 How Oral Thin Strips Address Non-Compliance in Pediatrics

• Ease of Use: Caregivers find oral thin strips incredibly easy to administer to children, even those who struggle to swallow pills. Their small size and quick dissolution make them a less intimidating option for young patients.
• Palatability: Many manufacturers formulate oral thin strips with pleasant flavors, making them more appealing to children. This formulation helps reduce children’s aversion to taking medication.
• Reduced Anxiety: The ease of use and the pleasant taste can alleviate the stress and anxiety that some children associate with taking medicine.

‍

How Oral Thin Strips Address Non-Compliance in Geriatrics

• Swallowing Difficulties: For elderly patients with dysphagia, Oral Thin Strips provide a convenient alternative to swallowing large pills, which reduces the risk of choking or aspiration.
• Simplified Medication Regimen: Oral Thin Strips simplify medication routines, especially for those on multiple medications. Their ease of use and quick dissolution lower the likelihood of missed doses.
• Improved Absorption: Oral Thin Strips enhance drug absorption by dissolving rapidly on the tongue, allowing quicker and more efficient absorption of active ingredients.

‍

Advantages of Oral Thin Strips Over Traditional Medications

‍

‍

The Growing Adoption of Oral Thin Strips in Pediatric and Geriatric Care

Oral Thin Strips have been available for decades, but their popularity has surged recently. Patients who struggle with medication adherence (>37% of the population) increasingly demand these products. They address a wide variety of medical conditions, from schizophrenia to migraines. As healthcare providers and caregivers become more familiar with oral thin films, many report improved compliance and better health outcomes, driving growth among oral strip manufacturers in India and globally. The global Oral Thin Film market is set to reach $3.7 billion in 2024 and expand at a CAGR of 8.9 %, reaching $8.7 billion by 2034. These figures highlight the success and potential growth of this medical method.

Oral Thin Strips offers a promising solution to address non-compliance issues in pediatric and geriatric patients. By overcoming challenges associated with traditional medications, such as swallowing difficulties, unpleasant taste, and anxiety, Oral Thin Strips improve medication adherence and enhance treatment outcomes. As healthcare providers and Oral Thin Film product manufacturers continue exploring innovative ways to improve patient care, Oral Thin Strips are poised to play a vital role in meeting the needs of vulnerable populations.

‍

About ZIM Laboratories Limited

ZIM Laboratories Limited is a therapy-agnostic &  innovative drug delivery solution provider focusing on enhancing patient convenience and treatment adherence to drug intake. We offer a range of technology-based drug delivery solutions and non-infringing proprietary manufacturing processes to develop, manufacture, and supply innovative and differentiated generic pharmaceutical products to our customers globally. At ZIM Labs, we provide our customers with a comprehensive range of oral solid value-added, differentiated generic products in semi-finished and finished formulations. These include granules, pellets (sustained, modified, and extended-release), taste-masked powders, suspensions, tablets, capsules, and Oral Thin Films (OTF).

‍