Three-Dimensional Printing Technologies for Drug Delivery Applications: Processes, Materials, and Effects.

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Technology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Materials Science

Background:

• Traditional drug delivery manufacturing requires high initial costs and bulk production.
• Three-dimensional (3D) printing, or additive manufacturing, enables personalized drug delivery with complex geometries and multiple release profiles.
• Existing literature lacks a comprehensive review of 3D printing processes, materials, and their effects in pharmaceutical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of 3D printing technology for drug delivery applications.
• To detail various 3D printing techniques, materials, and their suitability for different dosage forms.
• To offer insights into the future directions of 3D printing in advancing drug delivery for academia and industry.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on 3D printing in pharmaceutical drug delivery.
• Categorization of 3D printing techniques based on International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards.
• Analysis of materials (polymers, glasses, hydrogels) and dosage forms (oral, topical, implantable, etc.) utilized in 3D printed drug delivery systems.

Main Results:

• Identified seven main categories of 3D printing: material jetting, binder jetting, material extrusion, vat photopolymerization, powder bed fusion, sheet lamination, and directed energy deposition.
• Highlighted the use of polymers, glasses, and hydrogels as common materials in 3D printed drug delivery.
• Discussed the application of 3D printing across various drug dosage forms, including oral, topical, rectal/vaginal, parenteral, and implantable systems.

Conclusions:

• 3D printing technology presents a significant advancement in pharmaceutical drug delivery, enabling cost-effective, personalized solutions.
• The review consolidates information on processes, materials, and applications, serving as a valuable resource for researchers and industry professionals.
• 3D printing holds immense potential for innovation in drug delivery, paving the way for tailored therapeutic strategies.