“Building the Future: The Tablet That’s Printed, Not Made”

Mr.Pranjul Shrivastava
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy- Kalinga University, Naya Raipur
Pranjul.shrivastava@kalingauniversity.ac.in

The idea of 3D-printed drugs is developing quickly, and it holds out the prospect of a time when drugs are not only produced but also customized to meet the needs of each patient. This creative method makes use of cutting-edge printing technologies to produce tablets with customizable medication release profiles, dosages, and shapes.

Advances in 3D Printing for Pharmaceuticals
1. Personalized Medicine: The “one-size-fits-all” approach used in traditional pharmaceutical manufacture frequently results in inaccurate dosage. Because 3D printing makes it possible to precisely customize medication, medical professionals can produce tablets that precisely fit a patient’s dose needs [2]. Patients who need particular doses that are not commercially accessible may especially benefit from this flexibility.

2. Technological Advancements: According to recent research, 3D-printed pills can meet quality criteria on par with medications made traditionally. Extrusion-based methods, for example, have been successfully used by researchers to print tablets with different geometries and drug release characteristics [1][2]. Complex tablets that can release various medications at controlled rates can be fabricated using new techniques like Multi-Material InkJet 3D Printing (MM-IJ3DP), simplifying complex prescription regimes into a single dose [4].

3. Regulatory Environment: The laws governing drugs made by 3D printing are still being developed. Even though the FDA has approved several 3D-printed medications, such Spritam for epilepsy, the wider effects of 3D-printed tailored medicine are still unknown [2][3]. In order to guarantee the safety and effectiveness of these novel formulations, ongoing research attempts to set strict quality control procedures.
Potential Applications

– Customized Dosage Forms: Tablets made especially for patients with particular medical requirements can help lower the risk of underdosing or overdose [2].
– Polypills: Combining several drugs into one tablet may make chronic illness treatment easier and increase adherence to recommended treatments [2][4].
-Controlled Release Mechanisms: Novel formulations enable tablets to disintegrate at preset rates, which is essential for treating ailments that call for regulated drug release [5].
Obstacles to Come

There are still a number of obstacles to overcome despite the encouraging developments in pharmaceutical 3D printing technology:

Material Restrictions: Because of stability problems under heat or during the printing process, not all active pharmaceutical components are appropriate for 3D printing [3].
– Production Speed: The slowness of current 3D printing technologies in comparison to traditional production techniques may restrict their use in situations where there is a strong demand [2].
Regulatory Obstacles: As 3D-printed drugs proliferate in healthcare settings, it will be crucial to establish a regulatory framework that guarantees their efficacy and safety [2][4].
In conclusion, even though there are many obstacles in the way of the broad use of 3D-printed medications, the advantages for customized treatment make a strong case for more study and advancement in this area. Pharmacies may soon be outfitted with 3D printers that can create customized drugs on demand, completely changing the way we treat drug therapy.
References:
[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6848047/
[2] https://theconversation.com/we-are-closer-than-ever-to-being-able-to-3d-print-medicines-heres-why-thats-important-208026
[3] https://www.voxelmatters.com/the-pioneers-of-3d-printed-pharmaceuticals/
[4] https://healthcare-in-europe.com/en/news/new-3d-printing-research-personalised-medication.html
[5] https://www.mpg.de/20687249/pills-from-the-3d-printer
[6] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240514141314.htm
[8] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1773224723003581