Drug delivery to the lungs: challenges and opportunities

Pulmonary drug delivery is relatively complex because the respiratory tract has evolved defense mechanisms to keep inhaled drug particles out of the lungs and to remove or inactivate them once deposited. In addition to these mechanical, chemical and immunological barriers, pulmonary drug delivery is adversely affected by the behavioral barriers of poor adherence and poor inhaler technique. Strategies to mitigate the effects of these barriers include use of inhaler devices and formulations that deliver drug to the lungs efficiently, appropriate inhaler technique and improved education of patients. Owing to the advantages offered by the pulmonary route, the challenges that the route poses are worth addressing, and if successfully addressed, the pulmonary route offers huge opportunities, often fulfilling unmet clinical needs.