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3D Printing Methods for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: Opportunity and Challenges
Musarrat H Warsi1, Mohammad Yusuf1, Majed Al Robaian1
1College of Pharmacy, Taif University, Taif-Al-Haweiah 21974, Saudi Arabia.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
|December 7, 2018
Summary
Three-dimensional (3D) printing is transforming pharmaceutical manufacturing with personalized medicine. This technology offers flexibility in creating customized drug dosage forms, but challenges in cost, bioequivalence, and regulations remain.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
- Biotechnology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Traditional pharmaceutical manufacturing processes are established but lack flexibility and process aptitude compared to novel 3D printing techniques.
- Three-dimensional (3D) printing offers a paradigm shift in pharmaceutical production, enabling on-demand manufacturing of personalized drug dosage forms with complex geometries.
- This technology allows for tailored drug release kinetics, potentially enhancing drug safety and efficacy, and facilitates the creation of advanced materials like tissue scaffolds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of various 3D printing technologies applicable to pharmaceuticals.
- To highlight the opportunities and key challenges associated with implementing 3D printing in the pharmaceutical industry.
- To discuss the evolution of personalized medicine in the context of 3D printing advancements.
Main Methods:
- Extensive literature searches were conducted on Google Scholar and PubMed.
- The search focused on identifying studies related to 3D printing methods, drug delivery applications, and the historical development of personalized medicine.
Main Results:
- Popular 3D printing techniques include inkjet, nozzle-based deposition, stereolithography, and selective laser sintering.
- These methods are utilized for fabricating diverse pharmaceutical products such as tablets, implants, polypills, and nanoparticles.
- Significant progress has been achieved in 3D printing for pharmaceuticals within a short timeframe.
Conclusions:
- Three-dimensional printing is revolutionizing pharmaceutical manufacturing, particularly for customized medicines.
- Further research is needed to address aspects of cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and bioequivalence for widespread adoption.
- Regulatory hurdles must be overcome to facilitate the market launch of 3D-printed pharmaceutical products.
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