Making Bitter Medicines Better for Everyone

Presented by the Pediatric Working Group
Sponsored by the Drug Product Leadership Group

People vary widely in how bitter they perceive medicines to be, which can impact how easily they take them. A global study from the Monell Chemical Senses Center found that genetic ancestry influences how bitter certain medicines taste and how well sweeteners or other modifiers reduce bitterness. For example, a common sweetener worked better for some groups than others, which has important implications for making medicines more palatable for children and adults alike. By understanding these differences, pharmaceutical companies can develop better formulations that improve medication adherence, particularly in pediatric and global health settings where taking every dose is critical.