"The need for extemporaneous manufacturing of medicines will never disappear. There will always be exceptional situations"

Tekniikan Maailma" is a Finnish magazine focusing on technology and cars. Established in 1953, it is one of the most popular and respected magazines in Finland, known for its thorough and impartial testing of cars, electronics, and other technological products. The magazine covers a wide range of topics, including new car reviews, comparison tests, information on technological advancements, and insights into various gadgets and consumer electronics. Its detailed articles and professional approach to testing and reviewing products have made it a trusted source of information for tech enthusiasts and consumers looking to make informed purchasing decisions.

Maria Tojkander from Tekniikan Maailma wrote a story about pharmacist, Samuli Ojala, from Hietalahti Pharmacy in Vaasa. He is a user of the Pharma Kit. Here follows a short summary on the story in English: 

"It is light in color and smells of vanilla. Its shape is like that of a chocolate button, with a texture similar to a gummy bear.

Next to it is another one similar, and on the other side, a third. In total, there are five rows of them in the blister pack.

They are gel tablets, each containing 2 milligrams of propranolol. It is a medication used for heart conditions or, especially in small doses, for nervousness.

The gel tablets are made here, at the Hietalahti Pharmacy in Vaasa. They are made using a method that has also been called printing or 3D printing.

Some pharmacists 3D printed parts for face shields during the coronavirus crisis. But a pharmacist printing medications themselves – how is that possible?

Medication Just for You The pharmacy is located at the Vaasa Central Hospital. It serves all customers, including those discharged from the hospital. Among them are newborns and small children, elderly people, and those suffering from renal or hepatic insufficiency, says pharmacist Samuli Ojala.

"An industrial medication might be too strong for some."

THE GOAL IS TO MAKE PHARMACY MEDICATION MANUFACTURING MORE AUTOMATED, EASIER, AND FASTER.

Ojala has promised to show how medications are printed in the pharmacy. First, he explains what customers gain from it.

Many industrial tablets can be halved, but not all. And for example, the mildest propranolol tablet available in Finland would have to be divided into five equal parts if the suitable dose for the patient was 2 milligrams.

According to Ojala, some really need such a small dose. There is a mild industrial solution of the medication available, but it is not convenient to carry around.

In such situations, it would be beneficial if a patient could have a medication made to their exact strength, tailored for them. Not everyone can swallow a regular tablet. A medication that is easy to take would be suitable for them.