Molded hydrophilic polymer

A non gelatin based hydrophilic polymer-water composition having no phase separation of water from the hydrophilic polymer-water mixture at a water content of between about 5 and 25% by weight of the hydrophilic polymer, said hydrophilic polymer selected from a class consisting of hydroxymethylcellulose, gum arabic, methylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, cellulose acetate phthalate, water soluble ethers and esters derived therefrom, and mixtures thereof, said mixture being obtained by:

• (a) mixing the polymer with water in a predetermined amount between about 5 and 25% by weight of the hydrophilic polymer;
• (b) heating the hydrophilic polymer with said water while maintaining said predetermined water content to form a melt;
• and
• (c) further heating the hydrophilic polymer in water mixture above its glass transition temperature and above its melting point to dissolve the melt in the water and achieve a melt as a molecularly dispersed solution.