3D printing in pharmaceuticals: An emerging technology full of challenges

Although in its infancy, when compared with the other sectors, year 2005 marked the rapid evolution of 3 Dimensional printing (3DP) technologies in pharma sector with a huge potential in the dosage form designing and personalisation of the medication. 3DP is an innovative and highly promising way for the instant manufacturing in contrast with the tailored made conventional manufacturing. Various 3DP technologies are categorized into the various areas on the basis of the type of material used, deposition techniques and the solidification/fusion techniques. 3DP technologies have multiple pharmaceutical applications including formulation of the precise and unique dosage forms, medical research, personalization of medicine, tissues engineering and surgical application. In the present article, we have accentuated the comparative merits and demerits of various 3DP technologies used in the pharmaceutical sector. An insight in to the challenges, apropos availability and the choice of the excipients, as well as the printer, regulatory and safety concern of the product is provided.