WO1995009608A1

WO1995009608A1 - Method of applying an indicia to a fast-dissolving dosage form

Info

Publication number: WO1995009608A1
Application number: PCT/US1994/010831
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew R. Thompson; Richard J. Yarwood; Patrick Kearney
Original assignee: Catalent Pharma Solutions Inc
Current assignee: Catalent Pharma Solutions Inc
Priority date: 1993-10-01
Filing date: 1994-09-26
Publication date: 1995-04-13
Anticipated expiration: 1996-04-01
Also published as: CA2149659A1; ES2152991T3; AU7801494A; JPH09506268A; DE69426305T2; JP3155554B2; PT721325E; EP0721325B1; US5457895A; CA2149659C; EP0721325A1; US6212791B1; ATE197542T1; DK0721325T3; GR3035407T3; DE69426305D1

Abstract

The invention permits the application of an identifying mark onto a fast-dissolving tablet without the need for application of pressure or for printing directly on the tablet. The invention comprises the preparation of a fast-dissolving unit that is embossed with an identifying mark such as a manufacturer's logo, medicinal component strength, or other information relating to the unit. The desired identifying mark is first applied to a surface of a dosage-forming pocket. Liquid suspension is then filled into the pocket, such that the resulting unit is thereby embossed with a substantial copy of the identifying mark.

Description

METHOD OF APPLYING AN INDICIA TO A FAST-DISSOLVTNG DOSAGE FORM

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of Serial No. 08/104.486 filed October 1. 1993.

The present invention relates generally to the identification of dosage forms. More particularly, the present invention relates to the application of an indicia to a fast-dissolving dosage form by embossing the base of a dosage-forming pocket and forming the dosage unit in that embossed pocket, whereby the embossment is transferred to the dosage form during the dosage- forming process.

Medication in forms such as tablets, capsules, caplets or fast-dissolving dosages has been typically packaged in blister packages or sheets of multiple blister pockets or compartments. A base sheet of transparent or opaque plastic, for instance polyvinyl chloride (PVC or PVC type laminates), will frequently have a plurality of blister pockets projecting from one face thereof, for containing the unit dosages of medication.

If the units of medication to be packaged in the blister package are solid units such as tablets, capsules or caplets, the solid units may simply be deposited into the blister pockets of the base sheet. On the other hand, if the units to be packaged are freeze-dried fast-dissolving dosage forms, then the medication may be closed and frozen directly within the blister pockets and then dried therein using a freeze-drying process, as explained by Gregory et al.. U.S. Patent No. 4.305,502. The freeze-drying process is well known in the art and may involve first dosing a liquid suspension into the pre-formed blister pockets of the base sheet. The base sheet containing the suspension is then cooled by a medium such as liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide, thereby freezing the contents of the blister pockets. The frozen contents may then be subjected to reduced pressure to complete the freeze drying process.

Other techniques which utilize preformed pockets (such as blister pockets) to create fast- dissolving dosage forms are described in (i) United States Letters Patent Nos. 5, 120.549 and

5.215.756 (hereinafter "Gole Patents"); (ii) United States Letters Patent No. 5.298.261 (hereinafter "Pebley Patent"); and (iii) United States Letters Patent Nos. 5.039.540 and 5.079.01 8 (hereinafter "Ecanow Patents") ~ the teachings of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Another is described in Patent Cooperation Treaty Application No. JP92/0163 I . filed December 12. 1992 and published July 8. 1993 (International Publication No. WO 93/127/69) -- a translation of the specification thereof is appended as pages 10 - 27 hereof (hereinafter "Yamanouchi Application"). Each reference discloses a technique(s) to create a fast-dissolving dosage (as used herein) which is at least formed (in contrast to fully processed) in a pocket. In broad general terms, the Gole Patents describe systems in which the suspension of a liquid matrix is dosed into a preformed mold and then frozen and lyophilized (hereinafter "Gole Process"). The Pebley Patent describes a system wherein the liquid matrix is dosed into molds, frozen and lyophilized at least in part at a temperature above the collapse temperature (hereinafter "Pebley Process"). As the Ecanow Patents describe, an aqueous mixture of matrix-forming materials is frozen, active materials are layered onto the frozen matrix as solutions or powders, and then further freezing occurs. Ice is removed by dissolution in a second non-aqueous solvent. Le_^, by solid state dissolution rather than sublimation (hereinafter "Ecanow Process"). The Yamanouchi Application describes a system in which the suspension of the liquid matrix is filled into preformed molds, jelled and then dried to the point of gelation (hereinafter "Yamanouchi Process"). The pharmaceutical industry abounds with a variety of dosage forms, many of which are very similar, if not identical, to each other in outward appearance. It is therefore often necessary to place an identifying logo, code or other mark on each individual dosage form. Such mark might identity the manufacturer, the brand name, the active component strength or any other useful information regarding the dosage form. Further, several states in the United States of America currently require certain identifying markings to appear on individual units of medication.

Solid units of medication such as tablets, capsules or caplets have been acceptably identified by printing information directly onto the unit. Alternatively, solid units have been embossed with an identifying mark by compressing an embossment into the surface of the unit. The latter method is illustrated by or analogous to the processes disclosed by U.S. Patents Nos. 3.534.440 (Roberts). 2.645.852 (Weinberg) and 510,453 (Tobin).

The Roberts patent "relates to the manufacture of bodies of materials formable by pressing, more particularly but not exclusively soap and synthetic detergent bars, tablets and the like." (Col. 1. lines 29-32). In particular, the Roberts patent teaches a process that incorporates an apparatus comprised of (1) a lower die having a cavity, the planar bottom surface of the cavity serving as a lower "pressing face." and (2) an upper die whose planar underside serves as an upper "pressing face." A strip of thin embossed material is affixed to either the lower pressing face or the upper pressing face (or both). The body of material to be formed and embossed is then placed into the

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26> cavity, and the upper and lower dies are "brought together under positive pressure until [the] die surfaces . . . abut. [The body] is thereby shaped to final form and at the same time its upper [and/or lower] surface engaged by [the embossed strip] is formed with indented indicia corresponding to the projecting characters . . . on the embossed strip." (Col. 3, lines 59-65). The Weinberg patent teaches a device for the manufacture of "pats or chips from a block of butter, oleomargarine, or the like soft, plastic, easily incisible material." The device

comprises a base having upwardly extending walls or flanges, a cover telescopically but loosely fitting over the base, and an "impressor" plate removably mounted within the cover. The base and cover are made of metal or, preferably, plastic capable of being warmed sufficiently to prevent the cover and base from sticking to the butter. The impressor plate may be "formed with ribs for dividing the slab [of butter] into a plurality of separate pats or chips for impressing a design into the several pats." (Col. 1. lines 14-17). Butter is placed in the base, and the cover is positioned and pressured down, thereby causing the impressor plate to emboss a given design onto the butter.

Tobin discloses a butter molding machine, "the purpose of [which] is to provide improved mechanism for rapidly molding butter, or similar substance, into small disks or "pats."' (Col 1 , lines 10-13). In general, the invention is comprised of (1 ) an upright cylinder that is charged with butter, the cylinder having a mouth at its top for emitting the butter, and a piston disposed in the cylinder for forcing the butter out of the mouth; and (2) a plate having one or more mold cavities to be filled with butter emitted from the mouth of the cylinder and to impart a shape and pattern to the resulting butter pats. Upward pressure is applied to the piston to force the butter out of the mouth of the cylinder and into the mold cavities. "[T]he pressure upon the piston is made sufficient to produce the complete imprint of the dies upon each pat of butter thus molded." (Col 5, lines 10-13).

While the above-illustrated printing and direct compression methods are well suited to the application of an identifying mark to most solid units of medication, such methods are ill-suited to applying an identifying mark to fast-dissolving units. In particular, it has been determined that, due to the inherent fragility, surface undulation, moisture sensitivity and chemical makeup of fast- dissolving dosage forms, particularly freeze-dried forms, the application of compression would cause deformation, reduced porosity and hence increased dispersion time, and possibly cracking of the dosage forms. Similarly, it is believed that the chemical makeup, moisture sensitivity, porosity and surface undulation of fast-dissolving dosage forms would cause ink to dissolve the dosage forms at the point of contact or to diffuse throughout the dosage forms leading to clarity problems. A need therefore exists for a method of applying an identifying mark to the surface of fast-dissolving pharmaceutical units.

Accordingly, it is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a method of identifying fast-dissolving dosage forms. It is another objective of the present invention to provide a method of applying an identifying mark to a fast-dissolving unit.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a method of preparing an embossed freeze-dried dosage form without cracking or otherwise deforming or dissolving the dosage form. It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a method of embossing a freeze- dried unit of medication during the process of freeze-drying the unit in a blister pocket.

It is still a further objective of the present invention to provide a reduced cost method of manufacturing a combination of an embossed blister pocket and an embossed fast-dissolving unit contained in the blister pocket. Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method for applying an indicia to fast-dissolving dosage forms directly during the dosage-forming process. In particular, a desired logo or other product information is first embossed or otherwise formed into the base of a dosage pocket in which the unit will be at least formed, and an appropriate dose of a medicated liquid suspension is deposited into the embossed pocket. The process of forming the dosage is then initiated and the embossment on the base of the pocket is copied to the adjacent base of the dosage form.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

There is shown in the attached drawings a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein like numerals in the various views refer to like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embossed freeze-dried unit made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective top view showing a portion of a blister package having at least one embossed blister pocket.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a portion of a machine tool bearing a code to be embossed to a plastic blister pocket web during a thermoforming process in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an embossed blister pocket thermoformed in the machine tool of FIG. 3.

FIG 5. is a side elevational view of an embossed freeze-dried dosage form prepared in the embossed blister pocket of FIG. 4. FIG 6. is a perspective view of the base of a blister package showing the embossments that are copied to the enclosed freeze-dried dosage forms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described herein with reference to a fast-dissolving dosage formed by a freeze-drying process in the pockets of a blister pack. Figure 1 is a perspective vie showing an embossed freeze-dried unit 10 made in accordance with the present invention. The freeze-dried unit 10 comprises a body 12 and a base 14. For illustrative purposes, unit 10 is shown with its base 14 on the top. The base 14 of the unit is embossed w ith an identifying mark or embossment 16. While Figure 1 illustrates the embossment of the identifying mark "1/4" on the base of the unit, the present invention is not limited to this or any other particular choice of identifying mark. In the preferred embodiment, the freeze-dried unit of the present invention may be embossed with any desired identifying mark 16. For instance, it may be useful to prepare a freeze-dried pharmaceutical tablet that is embossed with a manufacturer^'s logo, a brand name, the component strength or any other information regarding the tablet. The embossment 16 may comprise a marking that either protrudes outwardly from the surface of the base 14, that protrudes inwardly from the surface of the base 14. or that is a combination of both outward and inward protrusions. The invention is not limited to a particular type of embossment.

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective top view of a portion of a blister package 20. Illustrated in particular is an embossed blister pocket 22 recessed in the blister package 20. The blister pocket 22 may be one of a plurality of such pockets arranged in the blister package 20. The blister package 20 accordingly comprises a blister sheet 24 and at least one recessed blister pocket 22. The interior surface or base 26 of the blister pocket 22 is embossed with an identifying mark or embossment 28. The embossment on the base 26 of the blister pocket is substantially the reverse of the desired embossment 16 on the base 14 of the freeze-dried unit 10. While, in the preferred embodiment, the embossment 28 is formed on the base of the blister pocket, the present invention contemplates one or more embossed identifying marks formed on any of the interior surfaces of the blister pocket.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate in part the thermoforming of an embossed blister pocket in accordance with the present invention. Figure 3 illustrates a side elevational view of a machine tool 30 bearing a raised (or lowered) identifying mark 32. The machine tool 30 is used to thermoform by known processes an embossed blister pocket 22, an example of which is illustrated by the side elevational view of Figure 4. The raised identifying mark 32 on the machine tool 30 is thereby substantially identical to the embossed identifying mark 28 on the base surface of the blister pocket 22.

Figure 5 illustrates the side elevational view of a freeze-dried unit 10 formed in the embossed blister pocket 22 in accordance with the present invention. The freeze-dried unit

be prepared by any known process of freeze-drying, such as that disclosed by the Gregory et al. patent. U.S. Patent No. 4.305,502. For instance, the process may comprise first dosing aliquots of liquid suspension containing active medicament directly into the embossed blister pocket 22. At least a portion of the liquid suspension is thereby in contact with the embossed identifying mark 28 on the base 26 of the blister pocket. The blister pocket 22 or entire blister package 20 containing the liquid suspension is then cooled by application of a medium such as liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide, thereby freezing the contents of the blister pocket. Finally, the frozen contents are preferably subjected to reduced pressure to complete the freeze-drying process. The result is a porous freeze-dried unit 10 having an embossment 16 that coincides substantially with the embossment 28 on the base 26 of the blister pocket 22. the porous freeze-dried unit being contained within the embossed blister pocket.

The process of the preferred embodiment, while not intended to be limited to a specific order of steps, can thus be summarized as follows. First, a blister pocket is accurately thermoformed or otherwise formed to bear an embossed identifying mark on its interior surface (and correspondingly on its exterior surface). Next, a liquid suspension is filled into the blister pocket, such that at least a portion of the liquid suspension is in contact with the embossed identifying mark on the interior surface of the blister pocket. The blister pocket containing the suspension is then subjected to freezing temperature and reduced pressure to thereby freeze-dry the contents. A porous freeze-dried unit results in the blister pocket, bearing an embossment substantially identical to the embossment on the blister pocket. In the preferred embodiment, a cover sheet is adhered to the blister sheet to enclose the embossed freeze-dried unit in the embossed blister pocket.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the use of embossed blister pockets or blister packaging to prepare the embossed freeze-dried units. Various other embossed or embossable containers may be used as well. Finally. Figure 6 illustrates an added advantage of the present invention. Shown in Figure

6 is a perspective view of the bottom surface 60 of a blister package 20 containing embossed freeze-dried units in accordance with the present invention. Projecting from the bottom surface of the blister package are the exterior surfaces 62 of a plurality of blister pockets 22. Pursuant to the present invention, the base 26 of each blister pocket 22 has been embossed w ith an identify ing mark 28 that is substantially identical to the identifying marks 16 embossed on each respective enclosed freeze-dried unit 10. Thus, the identifying mark of a given freeze-dried unit w ill be visible as well on the exterior surface of the blister pocket in which the freeze-dried unit is contained. This feature may provide useful information to assist in the proper dispensing of pharmaceuticals without the need for first opening the blister package containing the pharmaceutical.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been depicted and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications, substitutions and changes may be made thereto without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the present invention may be utilized with other processes to create a fast-dissolving dosage, including those discussed herein.

SUBSTlTUπ SHEET (RULE 26} SPECIFICATION

-Copy of International Publication WD93 127 ' 69 (International Application Serial No. PCT 'JP92 0163D-

Intraorally disintegrating preparauon and method for making it

Technical field

The present invenuon relates to solid preparauons which as far as handling is concerned are strong enough to be used in the same way as ordinary tablets, and which show adequate solubility or disintegrauon in the oral cavity for pracucal purposes, and to a method for making them.

Background art

Various types of medicinal preparauons for oral use are known, but few preparauons consider ease of ingesuon by the patient, and the development of easily handled preparauons which are suitable for elderly people and for young children is particularly needed.

For example, tablets and capsules generally used as oral preparauons are difficult to ingest for elderly people and young children who cannot swallow strongly; and there are also many other pauents who dislike taking them because they are inclined to suck in the throat or the oesophagus, etc.

Powders and granular preparauons linger in the oral cavity, and leave an unpleasant taste in the mouth after being swallowed. They have also been cases of elderly pauents choking on medicauon, and granular preparauons may get underneath dentures and cause pain and unpleasantness. Moreover, with powders and granules, packaging has to be broken before the medicauon can be put into the mouth, and opening packaging is particularly difficult for elderly people and young children, and in many cases part of the medicauon is spilt.

Water is required when taking these oral preparauons, and elderly people and young children in particular tend to have to take large quanuues of water because of their difficulues in taking medicauon. However, particularly before going to bed it is desirable to keep down water intake because this can lead to problems with uπnation duπng the night. Moreover, in the case of patients who need to take regular medication in the course their daily activities compliance is often decreased because of the difficulties in providing water.

Preparations such as syrups are preferred for the elderly and for young children, but measuring out the dose to take can be very difficult for elderly people and young children, and the dose taken cannot be expected to be accurate Many elderly people also have difficulty in transferring liquids into the mouth, and when the potential problems of taking medicauon without the help of an attendant are considered, they cannot be said to be an lαeaJ tyτ>e o: eccaαon :o~ elderly people or young children

Given tne situauon above, and considering tne fact that we are facing tne prospect of an ageing society and that with increasing age the incidence of chronic illness is hign and there is a tendency to long-term medicauon, there would appear to be a pressing need to develop preparauons suitable for the elderiy in particular. The development of preparauons which are easily ingested and easily handled within the context of the capabihues and life-style of elderly people is also desirable from the point of view of preserving the quality of life.

Several preparauons are known which dissolve or disintegrate in the oral cavity and might be suitable for elderly people and young children or for people who dislike taking medicauon. For example, in Japanese Examined Patent 62-50445 a solid preparation is descπbed which compπses a release matπx of a reucular structure, obtained by freezing a gelaun-based aqueous soiuuon containing a medicinal substance, and subliming the solvent. This reucular release matπx is descπbed as having a density of 10-100 mg/ml and as being rapidly disintegrated by water in the disintegrauon test used for tablets, being disintegrated in water within 10 seconds. It is disclosed that it disintegrates rapidly in the pauent's mouth in 1-2 seconds and is swallowed with saliva, and consequently that pauents who dislike taking medicine will not spit it out.

However, because the release matπx structure of this invenuon disintegrates rapidly and is so fragile that its hardness cannot be determined, it is not sufficiently strong. Thus, packaging such as the convenient PTP packs (press-through packs) used for ordinary tablets cannot be used, and special packaging of the tear-away seal type needs to be used; and handling is also highly difficult because the preparauons are prone to crumble or crack duπng distπbuuon, when they are being earned about, and when they are removed from packaging in order to take medicauon. They also have problems such as suscepubihty to moisture, so that the surface becomes sucky on merely being held in the hand. Therefore, the preparauons need to be handled carefully, and in pracuce this makes them unsuitable for use by elderly people and infants, who have particular problems with handling.

Japanese Unexamined Patent 2-30014 discloses wet-pressed tablets which are made by mixing solid components such as sugars and an active ingredient, etc. , temporaπly with a sufficiently small quantity of a volatile liquid binder to produce slightly moistened clumps, and then pressing the clumps forcibly into moulding frames and evaporating the liquid binder. However, the air for forcibly packing, forming and drying the clay-like mateπai duπng the manufacture of the said wet-pressed tablets inevitaDly becomes incorporated into them, producing non-uniformity in medicinal content, vanauons in shape and non-uniform hardness, etc. , and adversely affecung tneir pracucal usefulness. The method for making them also necessitates a special mould filling αevicε. making it unsuited for mdustπal produciian--

In Japanese Unexamined Patent 3-56412 ihtraoraliy dissolving preparauons are disclosed which are made by freeze-drying sugars^', but the hardness of the preparauons is low, they cannot be used in ordinary PTP packs, and they are not very pracucal as far as handling is concerned.

The viscosity of the suspension that is filled into moulds in making them is also so high that ordinary liquid filling devices cannot be used and a special filling device is necessary; and because of the high viscosity vanauons tn shape and non-uniformiues in the weight of the preparauons are also prone to occur, and they are not very suited to industπal producuon.

Disclosure of the invention

As the result of concerted research on new preparauons suitable for use by elderly people and young children, which are easy to take, easily handled, and which can be taken in precise quanuues, the present inventors have perfected new preparauons which not only disintegrate in a short time in the oral cavity even in the absence of water and are easily ingested, but are also easy to remove from packaging and to handle.

Moreover, the present preparauons are also highly pracucal, being outstandingly adapted to industnal production in a defined shape containing a uniform quanuty of a drug.

Thus, the present invenuon consists in intraorally disintegraung solid preparauons compπsing an acuve ingredient, sugar compnsiπg lactose and/or mannitol, and agar at 0.12-1.2% w/w relauvc to the solid components, which have a density of 400 mg/ml to 1000 mg/1 and are sufficiently strong to withstand handling; these preparauons are highly practical because they disintegrate in a short u e in the oral cavity even in the absence of water and can easily be ingested, and they are sufficiently strong to be handled so that they can be used in convenient packs such as PTP packs, etc., and there are no particularly restπctions as regards distπbuuon, carrying about and handling after removal from packaging.

The present invenuon also consists in a method for making intraorally disintegraung solid preparations which are sufficiently strong to withstand handling, characteπzed by suspending an acuve ingredient and sugar compπsing lactose and/or mannitol in 40-60% w/w, relauve to the weight of the solid components, of an agar aqueous solution of a concentration of 0.3-2.0% w/w, filling into moulds, and drying after setting in the form of jelly. By means of the method of the present invenuon, preparations of the present invenuon can be made with an outstandingly uniform

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 261 weight, uniform content of active ingredient, and defined snape Moreover, dryin- can De performed by drying at decreased pressure or forced-air drying, etc.. so that the drying process is uncomplicated and the method is outstandingly adapted to industnal producuon.

Below, the present invenuon will be explained in detail.

The sugar coπsutuent of preparations of the present invenuon is lactose and/or mannitol, which disperse well in water and have suitable solubility. Either one of these can be included, and mixtures can also be used. Structures showing the desired hardness and disintegrauon speed (soluuon speed) can be obtained lrrespecuve of the proportions of these sugars in mixtures However, the desired structure cannot be obtained with other sugars such as sucrose, glucose and/or sorbitol, etc., for example; and solubility is also considerably retarded when lactose and/or mannitol are employed mixed with other sugars.

It is conjectured that after setting, the sugar of the preparations of the present invenuon is dispersed (parually dissolved) in water together with the acuve ingredient, and that in the subsequent removal of water the partially dissolved sugar binds the undissolved dispersed sugar so as to form the desired structure. Therefore, a characteπsuc of the present invenuon is the use as sugar of lactose and/or mannitol, which have good dispersibility and a suitable degree of solubility.

The quanuty of sugar included in preparauons of the present invenuon will depend on the nature and quanuty of the acuve ingredient, but will be ≥50% w/w, and preferably > 80% w/w, and more preferably ≥90% w/w.

Next, the present invention uses agar at 0.12-1.2% w/w relauve to the solid components (i.e. the acuve ingredient and the sugar, etc.). The addiUon of agar has advantages, such as the following.

(1) Due to the property of aqueous agar soluuons of setung rapidly at room temperature in the form of a jelly, the suspension sets in the form of a jelly within a short Ume after filling into the moulds so that precipitation of the solid components in the suspension can be prevented and a uniform structure having a constant hardness can be obtained.

(2) The agar itself also forms part of the structure, which has the benefit of raising the strength of the preparauon.

(3) Setting in the form of a jelly keeps down expansion of the dry surface due to decreased pressure in the drying process, so that decreases in hardness and vaπauon in shape due to expansion can be prevented.

(4) The migrauon of part of the agar to the top surface together with the water molecules, especially in the case of drying at decreased pressure or forced-air drying, further raises the suength of tne suriace structure of tne preparauoπ. (5₎ The fact that the suspension sets in tne form of a jelly in a snoπ ume after Deing f:.:ec :n:o moulds means tha_t subsequent operauon such as moving moulds and drying, etc. , car^, De performed easily without any collapse in shape.

Substances other than agar are known which set in the form or a jelly, such as geiaun tor example: but not only are they less easy to work with because the temperatures at v. hιcn they set in the form of a jelly are not suitable and they take a longer ume to set, but tney cannot De expected to give the intended preparauons because dried preparauons made using them αo not have suitable hardness and solubility.

There are no particular restπcuons as to the type of agar, but a product of Japanese Pharmacopoeia pharmaceuucal grade is preferably used. Examples include PS-7 and PS-8 powdered agar (Ina Foods [Ina Shokuhin KK]).

The agar is included at 0.12-1.2 % w/w, and preferably 0.2-0.4% w/w, relauve to the solid components.

To make the structure of the present invention the sugar compπsing lactose and/or mannitol is suspended in an agar aqueous soluuon, and the suspension is filled into moulds and dned after setting in the form of a jelly. A concentrauon of 0.3-2.0% w/w, and preferably 0.3-0.8% w/w, is appropriate for the agar aqueous soluuon. The quanϋty of agar aqueous solution can be adjusted to give agar at 0.12- 1.2% w/w relauve to the solid components; but the quanuty of agar aqueous soluuon used is preferably 40-60% w/w relauve to the solid components.

No benefit can be expected from including agar when the concentrauon of the agar aqueous soluuon is lower than 0.3 % . And when the concentrauon is higher than this, disintegrauon in the oral cavity is retarded.

There are no particular restπcuons as to the acuve ingredients to which preparauons of the present invenuon are applicable, provided that they can be dissolved or suspended in an agar aqueous soluuon; preferred acuve ingredients include drugs intended for people with swallowing difficuiues, elderly people or young children, and also drugs which need to be taken duπng the course of daily activities, drugs for patients whose water intake is restπcied and drugs that need to be taken suddenly, etc. , because the preparauons can be ingested without water. They are highly useful for drugs such as the following: serotonin 5HT, receptor antagonists such as (/?)-5-[(l-methyl-3-indolyl)carbonyl]-4,5.6,7- tetrahydro- l//-benzιmιdazole hydrochloπde and salts thereof, ondansetron and granisetron. etc. , non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs such as indomethacin, ibuprofen, lbufenac, alclofenac. diclofenac, mefeπamic acid, flurbiprofen, flufenamic acid, ketoproten, phenylbutazone anc

- salicylate, etc., s_teroidal anύ-inflammatory agents such as cortisone, hydrccortisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone, betamethasone dipropionate, betamethasone valerate, prednisolone [sic], triamcinolone and fluocinolone acetonide, etc., diuretics such as bendroflumethiazide, polythiazide, methyclothiazide, trichlormethiazide, cyclopenthiazide, pentylhydrochlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide and bumetanide, etc., anti-psychotic drugs such as emoπapride, diazepam, nitrazepam, flunitrazepam, lorazepam, prazepam, fludiazepam. chlorpro azine, reseφine, clofluberinol, trifluperidol, haloperidol and moperone, etc., sedatives such as ba bital, thiopental, phenobarbital and cyclobarbital, etc., anti-epileptics such as ethosuxamide, sodium valproate, acetazolamide and meprobamate, etc., anϋparkinsonian agents such as chlorzoxazone and laevodopa, etc., antiemetics such as metoclopramide and metoclopramide hydrochloride, etc., hormones such as insulin, testosterone, methyltestosterone, progesterone and oestradiol, etc., analgesics such as moφhine, aspirin, codeine, acetoanilide and aminopyrine, etc., sulpha drugs such as sulfamine, sulfamoπometoxin [?] and sulfamethizole, etc., coronary vasodilators such as nitroglycerin, isosor ide dinitrate, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, propatyl^* nitrate, dipyridamol and papaverine hydrochloride, etc.,

H₂ receptor antagonists such as famotidine, cimetidine, ranitidine hydrochloride and roxatidine^k acetate hydrochloride, etc., antiarrhythmics such as ajmaline, pindolol, propranolol, quinidine, amrinone and milrinone, etc., cardiotonics such as caffeine, digoxin and digitoxin, etc., calcium channel blockers such as nicardipine hydrochloride, diltiazem hydrochloride, nilvadipine, nifedipine, nitrendpine, nisoldipine, nimodipine and nildipine, etc., antihistamines such as diphenhydramine hydrochloride, carbinoxamine, diphenylpyraline, phenbenzamine, chloropheniramine maleate, diphenylimidazole and cremizole, etc., antibiotics such as tetracycline, o ytetracycline, methacycline, doxacycline, minocycline,

a Spelt "propanyl" nitrate in the Japanese. TN b "Roxadine" in the Japanese chlora phenicols, erythromycins, lincomycin, penicillin G. clindamycin, κanamycιn. chloramphenicol, fradiomycin, streptomycin and gentamycin, etc. , anuneoplastics such as 5-thiouracil, uracil, cytarabine, broxuridine [?], busulfan^, actinomycin, bleomycins and mitomycins, etc., an -diabetics such as glibenclamide, etc., antigout agents such as allopurinol, colchicine and benzbromarone, etc., antiallergics such as ketotifen fumarate, sodium chromoglycate and amlexanox, etc., antihypertensives such as clonidine, guanethidine sulphate, ammosulalol hydrochloride, alacepril, delapril hydrochloride, and enalapril aleate, etc., central-nervous drugs such as indeloxazine hydrochloride, thiapride hydrochloride and bifemelane hydrochloride, etc., skeletal muscle relaxants such as dantrolene sodium, etc., antispasmodics such as everidine hydrochloride, tizanidine hydrochloride butylscopolamine and meϋiylatropine bromide, etc., antihyperlipoproteinaemics such as simvastatin and pravastatin sodium, etc, bronchodilators such as formoterol fumarate, salbutamol sulphate and procaterol hydrochloride, etc., α-adrenergic blockers such as tamsilosin hydrochloride [?] and prazosin, etc., hypoglycaemic agents oral contraceptives or animal medicines having antpyretic, analgesic and antiphlogistic activity or anti-ulcer activity, or animal medicines for organs such as reproductive organs, etc.

Neither are there any particular restrictions as to the scope of the active ingredients, which can be any active ingredients which can usefully take advantage of the properties of the present preparations: for example diagnostic aids such as contrast media, etc. , health foods and functional foods, and medicines used in the oral cavity such as breath fresheners and disclosing agents, etc., and not just medicaments.

The quantity of active ingredient included will depend on its nature, but will be ≤50% w/w and preferably ≤20% w/w, and preferably < 10% w/w, of the total solid components.

In general it is preferred that it is not used for active ingredients which have an unpleasant taste. When used with an active ingredient which presents an unpleasant taste, a treatment to mask the taste is preferably carried out.

If necessary, fragrances (menthol, etc.) or sweeteners (aspartame (proprietary name), etc.), colourings, stabilizers and/or preservatives, etc. , can also be added to the agar aqueous soluuon.

The density of the solid preparations of the present invenuon will vary according to the proportions in which components are included, but will be within the broad range of 400-1000 mg/ml. From associations with the strength and solubility of solid preparations, a density of 600-900 mg/ml is desirable.

The solid preparauons of the present invention have adequate strength to withstand handling. The description "adequate strength to withstand handling" here means that the preparations have at least sufficient strength to be able to be used in ordinary PTP packs; and it is considered that if they are this strong they can fully withstand other forms of handling such as distribution and being carried about.

The vertical hardness of tablets can be cited as a measure of the strength sufficient to enable ordinary PTP packs to be used, i.e. sufficient strength to enable removal from an ordinary PTP pack by being pushed through the cover sheet. This hardness will differ according to the size and shape of the tablets, but for example a hardness of ≥ 1.0 kg when the diameter is approximately 9.0 mm, ≥ 1.5 kg when it is 10.0 mm and ≥2.0 kg when it is 12.0 mm is preferred. Whatever their size, solid preparations of the present invention will have sufficient strength to enable them to withstand removal from PTP packs.

The description "intraorally disintegrating" in the present invention means that the preparations are adequately disintegrated or dissolved by the saliva in the mourn for practical purposes, even without taking water. Adequate solubility or disintegration for practical purposes here indicates that, taking into account variations among individuals, the preparation ordinarily dissolves or disintegrates in the oral cavity in about 5-20 seconds.

The structure of preparations of the present invention, which is primarily sugar, is rapidly weakened by saliva in the oral cavity and steadily disintegrates or dissolves; pressure within the oral cavity, i.e. pressure between the tongue and the roof of the mouth, or actions such as "licking" with the tongue, etc., will further shorten the time taken to disintegrate or dissolve.

In the disintegration test for tablets, preparations of the present invention disintegrate in water within 1-2 minutes, depending upon their shape; they do not show rapid disintegration. However, as described above for practical purposes they show adequate disintegration or dissolution in the oral cavity.

The present preparations can be used by people in whom the inside of the oral cavity is dry or who have little saliva, if sufficient cold or warm water is used to moisten the inside of the mouth. In this method for taking medication, the present preparations have the merit of being easily ingested without using a lot of water.

It should be noted in this connection that there is also nothing to prevent the present preparations from being taken with water in exactly the same way as for ordinary tablets. In the absence of any restrictions imposed by the active ingredient contained in the preparauon, the method for taking a preparation of the present invention can be selected according to the preference of the patient or according to the situation.

Next, the method for making preparations of the present invention will be explained.

An agar aqueous solution is prepared by a usual method. For example, die preparation can be performed easily by adding water to powdered agar and then dissolving by heating.

Lactose and/or mannitol, and the active ingredient, are added to the agar aqueous soluuon to obtain a homogeneous liquid suspension. If desired, sweeteners, fragrances, colourings and/or preservatives, etc., can also be added at a suitable stage.

The liquid suspension is then filled into moulds by a usual method. Filling is preferably performed at or near room temperature. If the temperature is too high the suspension will take time to set in the form of a jelly; and if the temperature is too low it will set before filling, so that the filling operation cannot be performed smoothly. The preferred temperature is 15-30°C.

There are no particular restrictions as to the moulds that are employed, and metal moulds or resin film moulds, for example, can be used. Resin film sheets with a plurality of holes for housing tablets which are to used in PTP packs are preferred.

Packs of solid preparations of the present invention can be easily obtained by filling into the sheets in question, drying, and attaching an ordinary PTP cover sheet. There are no restrictions as to the sheet material: examples of materials include polypropylene, poly(vinyl chloride) and poly(vinylidene chloride), etc.

There are no particular restrictions on the shape of the moulds, but moulds having rounded cavities are preferred.

The liquid suspension filled into the moulds sets in the form of a jelly, and after this it is easy to move/convey the moulds or carry out the drying process.

Setting time will depend of the size and shape of the preparations, but the surface of the liquid suspension sets within 1-2 minutes to give a set shape. If desired the time taken to set in the form of a jelly can be shortened by using a lower temperature.

Next the preparation, set in the form of a jelly, is dried. Any drying method can be used which will not adversely affect the properties of the present solid preparations. The preferred methods are drying at decreased pressure, and forced-air drying. The temperatures for drying at

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE ? decreased pressure or forced-air drying can be any temperature in a range which does not cause the freezing or redissolviπg of the preparation set in the form of a jelly, and is preferably of the order of 25-35^βC in the case of drying at decreased pressure, and of the order of 3-15°C in the case of forced-air drying. In the case of decreased pressure, a vacuum in the vicinity of -750 mmHg or less is preferred.

The drying time can be fixed to suit the drying method, the drying conditions and the size and shape of the preparations. In the case of drying at decreased pressure for example it will be of the order of 2-5 hours, and in the case of forced-air drying it will be of the order of 1-6 days.

Possible industrial applications

Solid preparations of the present invention have the useful points below.

(1) Because for practical purposes they show adequate disintegration or solubility in the oral cavity even when taken without water, they are easily ingested (easily taken).

(2) Because it is possible to choose whether to take them without water, with a small quantity of water, or with the same quantity of water as with ordinary tablets, etc., in accordance with individual capability and preference and the situation in which they are to be taken, an improvement can be expected in compliance in taking medication.

(3) Because they are moisture resistant, and like ordinary tablets do not become sticky when held in the hand after removal from packaging, they are easily handled.

(4) Because they have a uniform weight and a uniform content of the active ingredient, and permit a precise quantity to be taken without the need for any measuring out before being taken and without breaking when they are removed from packaging, etc., precise doses can be taken.

(5) Because they are sufficiently strong to withstand handling, and because they can be used in quick-removal packs suitable for ordinary tablets, such as PTP packs, etc., for example, the preparations are easily removed from packaging.

(6) They can be handled like ordinary tablets for the purposes of packaging, distribution and carrying about.

Therefore, solid preparations of the present invention are easy to take because for practical purposes they show adequate disintegration or solubility in the oral cavity even in the absence of water, and they can also be handled as easily as ordinary tablets; and they are highly practical new preparations which are particularly adapted to being taken by elderly people, people who have difficulty in swallowing and young children. The fact that preparations of the present invention can also be carried about, are simple to remove from packaging and moreover can be take without water also makes them very useful for people who need to take medication during normal activiues. Moreover, the method for making preparations of the present invention is a valuable method for producing solid preparations with the useful points described above on an industrial basis. The characteristic feature of the method of the present invention is that by using an agar aqueous solution of a suitable concentration at 40-60% w/w relative to the solid components, the suspension filled into the moulds in measured quantities in the form of a liquid sets in the form of a jelly within a short time at room temperature. This facilitates the handling of the moulds in the subsequent manufacturing processes, and also means that the uniformity of the internal structure is preserved without any collapse in shape, so that preparations can be obtained which have a uniform weight and content of active ingredient, and which have the desired strength and the desired disintegration properties in the oral cavity.

The fact that drying is performed on the preparations once they have set in the form of a jelly also contributes to high potential for industrial production because water can be removed fully conveniently and cheaply by means of drying at decreased pressure or by forced-air drying to give a uniform preparation, with no need for concern about deviations in shape, and without the need for special equipment.

PTP plastic containers can be used as the moulds in d e method of the present invention, and PTP packs can be obtained conveniently by attaching a cover sheet by a usual method after drying.

Below, the usefulness of solid preparations of the present invention will be indicated by citing specific examples. (1) Disintegration or solubility

The disintegration or solubility of solid preparations of the present invention in water was determined by means of the disintegration test for tablets (Japanese Pharmacopoeia). The values in Table 1 are the mean values for 6 tablets. Disintegration times in the oral cavity (mean values for 10 subjects) are also shown.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE ? -21-

Table 1. Tablet disintegration test

Embodiment of the Tablet disintegration test result present invention (seconds)

Embodiment 1 23

2 (a)*¹ 13.6

2 (b)*² 29.8

3 28

4 58

5 34

6 49

7 29

8 (a) 60.3

9 (a) 51.5

10 106.8

Notes) * 1 The disintegration time of Embodiment 2 (a) in the oral cavity was 10 sec. *2 The disintegration time of Embodiment 2 (b) in the oral cavity was 11 sec.

As the table indicates, solid preparations of the present invention showed a disintegration time of the order of 13-120 seconds in the tablet disintegration test. Disintegration time in the oral cavity, allowing for individual differences, was of the order of 5-20 seconds. (2) Hardness

The hardness of preparations of the present invention was determined by means of a hardness meter. The results are shown in Table 2 and Table 3. Table 2. (1) The uniformity of hardness (vertical)

Tablet No Embodiment 8 (a) (kg) Embodiment 9 (a) (kg)

1 2.1 2.4

2 1.8 2.6

3 2.2 2.8

4 2.0 2.2

5 2.1 2.2

6 2.0 2.4

7 1.6 3.0

8 2.0 2.4

9 2.3 2.4

10 2.2 2.1

Maximum value 2.3 3.0

Minimum value 1.6 2.1

Mean value 2.02 2.45

RSD (%) 10.1 % 11.4%

Preparation diameter ca. 9.5 mm ca. 9.5 mm

RSD% = (Standard deviation (SD)) x 100 Mean

Table 3. (2) Hardness (Mean values)

Embodiment No. Hardness (mean of 10 tablets) kg Preparation diameter

Embodiment 1 (Vertical) 2.9 (Lateral) 3.4 ca. 9.9 mm

2 (a) ditto 1.82 ditto 2.87 ca. 7.7 mm

2 (b) ditto 2.58 ditto 3.28 ca. 9.9 mm

3 ditto 2.5 ca. 10.0 mm

4 ditto 2.1 ditto

5 ditto 2.0 ditto

6 ditto 1.8 ditto

7 ditto 1.8 ditto

10 ditto 3.25 ca. 9.5 mm In all cases the vertical hardness of the solid preparations of the present invention was hard enough to enable them to be used in PTP packs. There was also little variation in hardness, which showed the same degree of uniformity as for ordinary tablets. (3) Deviation in weight and uniformity in the content of the active ingredient

The deviation in weight and the uniformity of the content of the active ingredient famotidine were calculated for the tablets obtained in Embodiment 11. Famotidine was assayed by HPLC, and the determined values were expressed as percentages of the calculated value. The results are shown in Table 4.

Table 4. Test of weight deviation and uniformity of content

Tablet No Preparation weight Famotidine assay value (mg)

1 77.40 99.20%

2 77.00 100.60%

3 78.10 99.10%

4 77.30 98.50%

5 77.20 99.90%

6 76.90 101.10%

7 77.10 101.90%

8 76.30 100.30%

9 76.60 99.10%

10 76.90 99.40%

Mean 77.08 99.91 %

SD 0.48 1.06%

Maximum value 78.10 101.90%

Minimum value 76.30 98.50%

Max. - Min. 1.80 3.40

RSD (%) 0.63 1.06

The tests of weight deviation and uniformity in the content of active ingredient above demonstrate that the weight and content of active ingredient in solid preparations of the present invention are sufficiently uniform to allow them to be used practically. (4) Test on pressing out of PTP packs

Damage to the preparation in pressing through the cover sheet and removal from a PTP pack was investigated using PTP packs of Embodiments 9(a) and 9(b) containing solid preparauons of the present invention.

The numbers of tablets cracking, crumbling and/or chipping in the course of being pushed from the cover sheet were determined visually. The values in Table 5 show die numbers of cracked, crumbled or chipped preparations (tablets)/the numbers tested (tablets).

Table 5. Test of pressing from PTP packs

Tester A B C D E F Total

Embodiment 9 (a) 0/50 0/50 0/50 0/50 0/50 0/50 0/300 Embodiment 9 (b) 0/20 0/20 0/20 0/20 0/20 0/20 0/120

No problematic cracking, crumbling or chipping occurred in removing the preparations of the present invention from PTP packs, indicating that they were sufficiently strong to be handled.

The best form for carrying out the present invention (Preparation example)

Preferred examples of making preparations of the present invention are indicated below, but die scope of the present invention is not restricted in any way to these embodiments. Compounding ratios in preparations of the present invention.

Active ingredient 0.001-50 parts, and preferably 0.01-20.0 parts

Lactose and/or mannitol 50-99.999 parts, and preferably 80.0-99.9 parts

Sweeteners, fragrances, colourings According to need and/or preservatives

Agar 0.12-1.2 parts, and preferably 0.2-0.4 parts

Preparations of the present invention can be obtained by preparing an agar aqueous solution of concentration 0.3-2.0% and preferably 0.3-0.8%, adding the other components, and mixing to make a suspension of the composition above. This suspension is filled into moulds at room

SUBSTfTUTE SHEET (RULE 26) Drying conditions (i) Drying for 2-5 hours under a vacuum of -700 mmHg to -760 mmHg, preferably at a temperature of 25-35 °C, and more preferably at about 30° C. (ii) Forced-air drying for 1-6 days, and preferably 2-3 days, preferably at 3-15°C, and more preferably at 5-10°C.

Embodiments of oral preparations of the present invention made using the method of the example above will now be described in detail. Embodiment 1

Famotidine (10 parts), lactose (89 parts), mannitol (100 parts) and aspartame (0.5 part) were added to a 4% agar aqueous solution (100 parts), and suspended by mixing. This suspension was filled into moulds 10.5 mm in diameter at 255 mg/mould, and water was removed by drying at 30°C and -760 mmHg to obtain a solid preparation. The solid preparation showed adequate disintegration in the oral cavity, and could be ingested easily without water. Embodiment 2

Famotidine (20 parts), lactose (87 parts), mannitol (60 parts), /-menthol (1 part) and aspartame (2 parts) were added to a 0.4% agar aqueous solution (85 parts), and suspended by mixing. This suspension was filled (a) at 123 mg/mould into moulds 8.0 mm in diameter, or (b) at 255 mg/mould into moulds 10.5 mm in diameter, and water was removed by drying at 30°C and -760 mmHg to obtain solid preparations. The diameters and thicknesses of the tablets obtained were (a) diameter 7.7 mm and thickness 3.1 mm, and (b) diameter 9.9 mm and thickness 3.7 mm. Embodiments 3-7

Famotidine, lactose and mannitol were employed in the proportions (weight basis) of Table 6 below. After dispersion in 85 parts of a 0.4% agar aqueous solution held at 35- 0°C, the suspension was filled at 200 μl/hole into a PTP sheet having holes 11 mm in diameter, and dried at 36°C and -760 mmHg. The tablets obtained had a diameter of approximately 10 mm.

-26-

Table 6. Compounding ratios in the preparations of Embodiments 3-7

Embodiment No. Compounding ratios

Famotidine Lactose Mannitol

3 20.0 150.0 0.0

4 20.0 120.0 30.0

5 20.0 90.0 60.0

6 20.0 60.0 90.0

7 20.0 0.0 150.0

Embodiment 8

Aspartame (1.5 parts) and sodium citrate (1.0 parts) were dissolved in a 0.6% agar aqueous solution (85 parts), and then famotidine (10 parts), lactose (130 parts), mannitol (20 parts), fragrance (1.4 parts) and colouring (0.1 part) were added and mixed to form a liquid suspension. This liquid suspension was filled into 2 types of PTP sheet (made of polypropylene) at (a) 255 mg/hole and (b) 510 mg/hole respectively. Solid preparations were obtained by forced-air drying at 5°C for 3 days.

These sizes of these preparations were: (a) diameter ca. 9.5 mm and thickness ca. 4.2 mm, and (b) diameter ca. 12.0 mm and thickness ca. 5.2 mm. Embodiment 9

A suspension obtained by the same treatment as in Embodiment 8 except for the use of the fragrance (8.43 parts) was filled into PTP holes at (a) 255 mg and (b) 510 mg per hole, and dried as in Embodiment 8 to obtain solid preparations. The size of these preparations was (a) diameter ca. 9.5 mm and thickness ca. 4.2 mm, and (b) diameter ca. 12.0 mm and thickness ca. 5.2 mm.

Aluminium sheets were attached by the usual method to the PTP sheets containing these solid preparations, to obtain PTP packs. Embodiment 10

A suspension obtained using an 0.6% agar aqueous solution (85 parts), famotidine (10 parts), lactose (135 parts), mannitol (20 parts), aspartame (1.5 parts), sodium citrate (1.0 part), fragrance (3.34 parts) and colouring (0.1 part) treated as in Embodiment 8 was filled into PTP sheets at 255 mg/hole and dried as in Embodiment 8 to obtain a solid preparation ca. 9.5 mm in diameter. Embodiment 11

A suspension was obtained by mixing famotidine (10 parts), lactose (63 parts), mannitol (10 parts), aspartame (1.0 part) and sodium citrate (1.0 part) with an 0.4% agar aqueous solution (43 parts). This suspension was filled at 128 mg/hole into PTP sheets and dried at 30°C and -760 mmHg to obtain a solid preparation.

Solid preparations were also made as in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 8 using the compounding ratios below.

Embodiment 12

Formoterol fumarate 0.04 parts

Lactose 79.16 parts

Mannitol 20.00 parts

Aspartame 0.50 part

Powdered agar 0.30 part

Total 100.00 parts

Embodiment 13

Nicardipine hydrochloride 10.0 parts

Lactose 148.4 parts

Mannitol 40.0 parts

Aspartame 1.0 part

Powdered agar 0.6 part

Total 200.0 oarts

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A method of preparing an embossed freeze-dried unit in a container, the container having an interior surface formed with an identifying mark, the method comprising: (a) filling a liquid into the container, at least a portion of the liquid being in contact with the identifying mark on the interior surface of the container; and (b) freeze-drying the liquid in the container.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of freeze-drying comprises the following steps:

(a) freezing the liquid; and

(b) subjecting the frozen liquid to reduced pressure.

3. A method of identifying a porous freeze-dried unit manufactured in a container, the container having an interior surface formed with an identifying mark, the method comprising:

(a) filling a liquid into the container, at least a portion of the liquid being in contact with the interior surface of the container; and

(b) freeze-drying the liquid in the container, thereby forming a porous freeze-dried unit, the identifying mark on the interior surface of the container being substantially copied onto an adjacent surface of the porous freeze-dried unit.

4. A method as in claim 3, wherein the step of freeze-drying comprises the following steps:

(a) freezing the liquid; and

(b) subjecting the frozen liquid to reduced pressure.

5. A method of embossing a porous freeze-dried unit in a blister pocket, the blister pocket having a base and being formed of an embossable material, the method comprising: (a) embossing the base of the blister pocket with an embossment;

(b) filling a liquid into the blister pocket; and

(c) freeze-drying the liquid in the blister pocket, thereby forming a porous freeze-dried unit having a base adjacent to the base of the blister pocket, the embossment on the base of the blister pocket being substantially copied onto the base of the porous freeze-dried unit.

6. A method as in claim 5, wherein the step of freeze-drying comprises the following steps: (a) freezing the liquid; and

(b) subjecting the frozen liquid to reduced pressure.

7. A freeze-dried unit bearing an identifying mark prepared in a container, the container having an interior surface formed with an identifying mark, the freeze-dried unit being prepared by a process comprising the following steps:

(b) freeze-drying the liquid in the container, the identifying mark on the interior surface of the container being substantially copied onto an adjacent surface of the porous freeze-dried unit.

8. An embossed freeze-dried unit manufactured in a blister pocket, the blister pocket having a base and being formed of an embossable material, the embossed freeze-dried unit being manufactured by a process comprising the following steps:

(a) embossing the base of the blister pocket with an embossment;

(b) filling a liquid into the blister pocket, at least a portion of the liquid being adjacent to the base of the blister pocket; and

(c) freeze-drying the liquid in the blister pocket, the embossment on the base of the blister pocket being substantially copied onto the base of the porous freeze-dried unit.

9. A combination comprising (i) a freeze-dried unit and (ii) a container containing the freeze-dried unit, the container having a base formed with an identifying mark, and the freeze-dried unit having a base bearing an identifying mark substantially identical to the identifying mark formed on the base of the container, the base of the freeze-dried unit being adjacent to the base of the container.

10. A combination comprising (i) a freeze-dried unit and (ii) a blister pocket containing the freeze-dried unit, the blister pocket having a base embossed with an identifying mark, and the freeze-dried unit having a base embossed with an identifying mark substantially identical to the identifying mark embossed on the base of the blister pocket, the base of the freeze-dried unit being adjacent to the base of the blister pocket.

11. A method of identifying a fast-dissolving dosage form comprising the step of forming said fast-dissolving dosage form in a blister pocket carrying an embossed identifying mark, said embossed identifying mark thereby being substantially copied to a surface of said fast-dissolving dosage form as an identifying embossment.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the step of forming said fast-dissolving dosage form comprises freeze-drying a liquid suspension in said blister pocket.

13. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said identifying embossment is an elevated identifying mark.

14. A method as claimed in claim 1 1, wherein said identifying embossment is a depressed identifying mark.

15. A method as claimed in claim 1 1, further comprising the step of thermoforming said blister pocket carrying an embossed identifying mark.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26Ϊ

16. A method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising the step of cold- forming said blister pocket carrying an embossed identifying mark.

17. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein said blister pocket comprises aluminum laminate.

18. A method as claimed in claim 1 1 wherein said blister pocket comprises plastic laminate.

19. A fast-dissolving dosage form identified by a process as claimed in claim 11.

20. A method of identifying a fast-dissolving dosage form comprising the following steps: creating a blister pocket having opposing interior and exterior surfaces cooperatively embossed with an identifying mark; depositing a liquid suspension into said blister pocket; and forming said liquid suspension into said fast-dissolving dosage form in said blister pocket such that said embossed identifying mark is substantially copied to a surface of said fast-dissolving dosage form as an identifying embossment.

21. A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein said identifying embossment comprises an elevated identifying mark.

22. A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein said identifying embossment comprises a depressed identifying mark.

23. A fast-dissolving dosage form identified by a process as claimed in claim 20.

24. A method for creating an indicia on a fast-dissolving solid dosage unit, formed from a liquid suspension containing a medicament through a dosage- forming process, comprising:

(a) forming a pocket having a surface carrying said indicia; (b) depositing said liquid suspension into said pocket and into contact with said surface thereof;

(c) initiating said dosage-forming process; and

(d) at least forming said fast-dissolving solid dosage form in said pocket, whereby said indicia is created thereon.

25. A method as claimed in claim 24 wherein said dosage-forming process includes freeze-drying.

26. A method as claimed in claim 24 wherein said dosage-forming process includes a Gole Process.

27. A method as claimed in claim 24 wherein said dosage-forming process includes a Pebley Process.

28. A method as claimed in claim 24 wherein said dosage-forming process includes a Ecanow Process.

29. A method as claimed in claim 24 wherein said dosage-forming process includes a Yamanouchi Process.

30. A method as claimed in claim 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 or 29 wherein said pocket is a blister pocket.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 2R