Applications and Advancement of 3D Printing in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Drug Delivery

Review Article

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an innovative additive manufacturing technology that has tremendous potential to revolutionize various aspects of the pharmaceutical industry including drug development, product design, manufacturing and delivery. 3D printing enables precise fabrication of complex drug products with customized compositions and geometries that cannot be produced through conventional processes. It facilitates rapid prototyping thereby accelerating drug development process. 3D printed dosage forms with capability of controlled, delayed and triggered drug release have potential to enhance patient compliance and therapeutic outcomes. Further, 3D printed personalized medications tailored to individual patient needs hold promise to improve medication accessibility and efficacy. Though 3D printing in pharmaceuticals is still in its infancy, ongoing research efforts aim to address key challenges including regulatory compliance, process optimization, material characterization and scale-up. As the technology advances further, 3D printing is expected to significantly transform pharmaceutical manufacturing by making on-demand, decentralized production a reality