At first glance they look like jelly beans, but in reality they are nutritional supplementsessential for patients with metabolic diseases, and have been created thanks to a 3D printer. This is a research project of the Clinical Hospital of Santiago and the Faculty of Pharmacy, aimed at children from the age of three.

“There were not enough medications on a commercial level for them,” they point out from the hospital and, therefore, they began “to develop master formulas.” Dr. María Luz Couce, director of the Metabolic Diseases Unit of said health center, also points out that “some have to take several dietary products,” which is why they considered “merge two into one” to be taken in the same candy. The goal is to make them attractive to the little ones.

“We do the specific dose For each patient, the shape what you need, the color and even the flavor“, details Chema Giráldez, pharmacist at the Clinical Hospital. First, the flavor is chosen, the shape and size is selected, which is related to the dose, and the printer starts working. “We can print from 20-30 seconds per tablet,” says FABRX pharmacist Carlos Bendicho.

Thus, compared to the most common presentation of supplements, in the form of capsules and flavored with the active ingredient, you can obtain some vanilla flavored gummy hearts. And to children, Dr. Couce summarizes, “in general it tastes very good.” This is a pioneering project worldwide and The next step will be to test the printer also with medicines.