Queensland researchers are looking at how 3D printers could help reduce the risks associated with taking multiple drugs a day, by combining them into a single tablet.
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00:003D printers can create just about everything, from toys to teeth moulds, even body parts.
00:09Now Queensland pharmacists hope to use the technology to make a so-called polypill, combining
00:15multiple drugs into one tablet.
00:18Printing layer by layer, we could have each layer be a different medication, so we can
00:24print a variety of medications into the same tablet to really simplify that whole regimen.
00:29So we could go from 30 tablets down to maybe one.
00:33Lowering the risk of under or overdosing.
00:36Take three to five to six drugs within one pill with a different release profile targeting
00:42different organs as well and that would really reduce the burden on the elderly as well as
00:47also increase the patient adherence.
00:49The project aims to help people who are blind or vision impaired by personalising their
00:55daily medication.
00:56We could change the colour to make things more identifiable.
01:00We can also add symbols like the sun or moon, say this is your morning and night time dose
01:04or we can just directly print braille onto the top or sides of tablets.
01:08And could help improve access for rural and remote communities.
01:12Yeah I think 3D printing really has a lot to offer for Aboriginal communities and peoples.
01:18We know that the burden of chronic diseases which often require a lot of medications is
01:22higher in these populations and I see that a lot of the time working with my patients.
01:26While clinical trials have been carried out overseas, it's still unclear how the Therapeutic
01:30Goods Administration will regulate 3D printed medicines.
01:35Researchers here say while Australia is catching up, it'll be a few years yet before these
01:41polypills could be used.