Advancing drug delivery research: sustainable strategies for innovation and translation

Sustainable systems are designed to promote lasting viability and resilience while reducing negative effects on the environment, society, and economy. Like many others, the drug delivery field is facing the challenges of the global environmental crisis. Despite its rapid growth and significant funding, there has been a noticeable slowdown in the rate of advancement, impacting the economy, society, and environment. This paper delves into sustainable strategies for drug delivery research, including reducing pill burden through controlled release systems, use of bio-degradable/absorbable polymers, reduction in excipient requirements and use of functional excipients, clinically viable drug delivery system designs, non-invasive/self-administration technologies, and use of relevant in vitro and in vivo tools and computational approaches. When adopted, these strategies can help researchers create widely available, reasonably priced, and ecologically friendly drug delivery systems, thereby advancing sustainable healthcare for all. The manuscript also advocates for funding policies that support sustainable drug delivery research. It underscores the need to integrate sustainability principles into drug delivery research to achieve the broader agenda of global sustainability and well-being, such as SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).