Customized 3D printed multi-drug systems: an effective and efficient approach to polypharmacy

Combination therapies continue to improve therapeutic outcomes as currently achieved by polypharmacy. Since the introduction of the polypill, there has been a significant improvement in adherence and patient outcomes. However, the mass production of polypills presents a number of technical, formulation, and clinical challenges. The current one-size-fits-all approach ignores the unique clinical demands of patients, necessitating the adoption of a more versatile tool. That will be the novel, but not so novel, 3D printing.

The present review investigates this promising paradigm shift from one medication for all, to customized medicines, providing an overview of the current state of 3D-printed multi-active pharmaceutical forms, techniques applied and printing materials. Details on cost implications, as well as potential limitations and challenges are also elaborated.

3D printing of multi-active systems, is not only beneficial but also essential. With growing interest in this field, a shift in manufacturing, prescribing, and administration patterns is, at this point, unavoidable. Addressing limitations and challenges, as well as data presentation on clinical trial results, will aid in the acceleration of this technology's implementation. However, it is clear that 3D printing is not the end of it, as evidenced by the emerging 4D printing technology.