A bitter pill, made sweeter

I was very glad to see this article, from Reuters, today. I have a bit of a 'thing' about how few infectious disease treatments in developing countries are formulated so children can - and might actually want to - take them. After all, we have the technology to flavor medicines, and to make them chewable, meltable, dispersable... and we use it in many over-the-counter children's medicines in the US and Europe. Now, the makers of one of the most effective anti-malarials on the market in Asia and Africa may follow suit. Researchers in Tanzania have been treating children with cherry-flavored chewable Coartem pills. These are more palatable than the original pills, which are very bitter and often crushed by hand so children can take them. The researchers think that if the pills are easier to take, kids are more likely to complete their treatment course - so they're more likely to get well and there is a lower chance of drug resistance emerging. Sounds good and tastes good...