An Overview of Drug Delivery Systems

This is an overview of the current drug delivery systems (DDSs) starting with various routes of drug administration. Various drug formulations are then described as well as devices used for drug delivery and targeted drug delivery. There has been a considerable increase in the number of new biotechnology-based therapeutics. Most of these are proteins and peptides, and their delivery present special challenges. Cell and gene therapies are sophisticated methods of delivery of therapeutics. Nanoparticles are important for refining drug delivery. In addition to being vehicles for drug delivery, nanoparticles can be used as pharmaceuticals as well as diagnostics. Most of the advances in targeted drug delivery have occurred in therapy of cancer. Drug delivery to the brain across the blood-brain barrier presents many challenges. Refinements in drug delivery will facilitate the development of personalized medicine. The ideal DDS is defined. Commercial aspects, challenges, and future of DDSs are discussed.