Innovative applications of 3D printing in personalized medicine and complex drug delivery systems

Three-dimensional (3D) printing, or additive manufacturing, is transforming pharmaceutical and biomedical fields by enabling personalized medicine. This review highlights advances in 3D printing for customized drug delivery systems, including patient-specific dosage forms, multidrug polypills, and implantable devices that improve adherence and therapeutic outcomes-especially for pediatric and geriatric populations. The intersection of 3D printing with regenerative medicine is also explored, focusing on bioprinting technologies, stem cell-laden scaffolds, and smart biomaterials such as hydrogels and bioinks for localized therapy and tissue repair. These strategies reflect an expanded vision of personalized medicine, merging individualized pharmacotherapy with tissue engineering. Additionally, the review discusses the integration of artificial intelligence, nano-enabled platforms, and decentralized pharmaceutical manufacturing to accelerate development and access. Key regulatory and technical challenges are outlined, along with future directions to promote the clinical translation and scalability of 3D-printed pharmaceutical and regenerative systems.