Research group In my research, I investigate how medicines can be designed and manufactured to meet the needs of different patient groups. The aim is to develop personalized dosage forms that make medicines easier to administer while also improving their safety and effectiveness.
A medicine is of no benefit if it cannot be administered to the patient. Drug formulation involves developing medicines that deliver the correct amount of active substance in a safe, effective, and stable manner. Drug treatment also needs to be tailored to the individual, as the appropriate dose and dosage form can significantly influence treatment outcomes.
This research focuses on how medicines can be designed and manufactured to meet the needs of different patient groups. One research project concerns the development of mini-tablets, which are easier to swallow—particularly for children and older adults—and also enable more precise dose adjustment. Today, there is an increasing demand for personalized medicines and treatments to better meet each patient’s needs and improve drug treatment. This includes individualized dosing as well as flexible and appropriate dosage forms. For example, flexible dosing based on age and body weight is required in children, and dosing adjustments based on renal function are often necessary in older adults. Furthermore, suitable dosage forms are needed to facilitate drug administration in children, older adults, and other patient groups for whom administration may be challenging. An appropriate dosage form should allow for ease of administration, dosing flexibility, and a high level of safety.
In addition to pharmaceutical formulation, my research also addresses drug treatment and patient involvement in rural areas, as well as pedagogical research on distance education in pharmacy.
Ongoing research projects
Ongoin research projects
- Formulation of mini-tablets for personalized drug treatment. The overall aim of the project is to develop mini-tablets suitable for pediatric and geriatric patients, as well as for other patient groups with swallowing difficulties, in order to improve drug treatment.
- Improved drug treatment and patient involvement through a digital, interdisciplinary model for older adults in primary care in rural areas of northern Sweden. Study protocol:
- Educational research on interprofessional learning (IPL) with the aim of preparing students for their future professional roles and increasing their understanding of other professions in healthcare. Current work focuses on the development and implementation of an IPL activity involving pharmacy and nursing students at Umeå University.
- Educational research on pharmacy students’ experiences of their education and professional identity after graduation. Umeå University offers distance-based pharmacy programmes (Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, Master of Science in Pharmacy, and Master of Pharmaceutical Science).
Selected publications
1. Gustafsson M, Norberg H, Mattsson S. Job satisfaction among pharmacists graduating from a university in northern Sweden: a comparative analysis. Pharmacy, 13, 171, 2025.
2. Westberg A, Andersson P, Sönnerstam E, Mattson S, Holmner Å, Edin-Liljegren A, Gustafsson M. Development and evaluation of a telepharmacy service in primary care for home-living older adults in Northern Sweden’s rural areas: protocol for a single-arm interventional study. BMJ open, 15, e110198, 2025.
3. Attebäck M, Hedin B, Mattsson S. Formulation optimization of extemporaneous oral liquids containing naloxone and propranolol for pediatric use. Scientica Pharmaceutica, 90, 15, 2022.
4. Gustafsson M, Wallman A, Mattsson S. Education satisfaction among pharmacy graduates in Sweden. Pharmacy, 9, 44, 2021.
5. Hellberg E, Westberg A, Appelblad P, Mattsson S. Evaluation of dissolution techniques for orally disintegrating mini-tablets. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 61, 102191, 2021.
6. Mattsson, S, Gustafsson, M. Job satisfaction among Swedish pharmacists. Pharmacy, 8, 127, 2020.
