3D printing offers cost-effective and rapid creation of diverse shapes that have many applications in our lives. Recently, attention has shifted to patient-centric drug development, with 3D printing becoming a key player in the pharmaceutical field.
Compared to traditional methods, 3D printing provides amazing flexibility for producing customizable medications tailored to individual patient needs. This technology operates by depositing layers of materials using computer-aided design (CAD) software or 3D scanners. Various 3D printing technologies, such as laser-based, inkjet-based, and extrusion-based systems, are employed based on factors like resolution, biocompatibility, temperature, and cost-effectiveness.
The impact of 3D printing on pharmaceuticals is profound, allowing for the precise fabrication of diverse pharmaceutical systems and devices. Experts foresee a shift towards personalized medicine, departing from the one-size-fits-all approach. However, achieving high-quality dosage forms requires meticulous attention to printing parameters and an in-depth understanding of materials' characteristics.
As 3D printing evolves, business models involving the sale of 3D-printed products are emerging. The integration of 3D printers in pharmacies and hospitals is anticipated as regulatory guidelines are established, enabling quality-by-design printing of pharmaceutical forms.
In biomaterials, the use of inks or bioinks is crucial. Natural biomaterials like alginates and synthetic biopolymers enhance the resolution of 3D-printed objects. The diversity of biopolymers and APIs makes 3D printing promising for constructing various drug delivery systems, contributing to effective wound healing. While Inkjet-based systems offer precise printing for tissue engineering. Extrusion-based 3D printing allows for scaffolds and microneedles, with the choice depending on the intended application and polymer properties.
Natural polymers like pectin and pluronic F-127 show efficacy in extrusion-based 3D printing for wound healing. Thermoresponsive hydrogels, including nanocellulose, introduce optimal rheological characteristics for extrusion-based printing, leading to the development of 4D printing.
Oral Drug Delivery Devices (ODDDs) like tablets and capsules are widely used for their rapid release profiles, but traditional methods limit design flexibility and often result in a "one-dose-fits-all" approach due to high costs and potential drug interactions. A study done in 1999 explored 3D printing for ODDDs, showcasing the ability to tailor release mechanisms. Binder Jetting has since gained approval for the first 3D printed drug, Spritam®, in 2016.
Material Jetting (MJ) and filament extrusion techniques have also been employed for ODDDs, allowing for the creation of tablets with various release profiles. Topical drug delivery through 3D printing has improved drug loading and accuracy in masks and wound dressings compared to traditional methods. Personalized 3D-printed masks for facial hypertrophic scars have been developed.
For rectal and vaginal drug delivery, 3D printing methods such as SLA and filament extrusion have been utilized to create customizable geometries for suppositories and intrauterine system (IUS) devices. In parenteral drug delivery, 3D printing has been used to create microneedles for rapid drug action and implantable devices like stents and catheters.
While the future of 3D printing in drug delivery holds significant potential, challenges include ensuring quality control, safety, and regulatory compliance, with limited guidance available. Large-scale manufacturing and collaboration among academia, industry, and government are crucial for widespread adoption. Machine learning (ML) is emerging as a tool to optimize design parameters and predict 3D printing performance, contributing to enhanced product quality and productivity.
References:
Katstra W, Palazzolo R, Rowe C, et al. Oral Dosage Forms Fabricated by Three Dimensional Printing. J Controlled Release. 2000;66:1–9
Mancilla-De-la-Cruz J, Rodriguez-Salvador M, An J, Chua CK. Three-Dimensional Printing Technologies for Drug Delivery Applications: Processes, Materials, and Effects. Int J Bioprint. 2022 Oct 20;8(4):622
Uchida DT, Bruschi ML. 3D Printing as a Technological Strategy for the Personalized Treatment of Wound Healing. AAPS PharmSciTech. 2023 Jan 25;24(1):41
3D Printing Applications in the World of Pharmacy
3D printing offers cost-effective and rapid creation of diverse shapes that have many applications in our lives. Recently, attention has shifted to patient-centric drug development, with 3D printing becoming a key player in the pharmaceutical field.
Compared to traditional methods, 3D printing provides amazing flexibility for producing customizable medications tailored to individual patient needs. This technology operates by depositing layers of materials using computer-aided design (CAD) software or 3D scanners. Various 3D printing technologies, such as laser-based, inkjet-based, and extrusion-based systems, are employed based on factors like resolution, biocompatibility, temperature, and cost-effectiveness.
The impact of 3D printing on pharmaceuticals is profound, allowing for the precise fabrication of diverse pharmaceutical systems and devices. Experts foresee a shift towards personalized medicine, departing from the one-size-fits-all approach. However, achieving high-quality dosage forms requires meticulous attention to printing parameters and an in-depth understanding of materials' characteristics.
As 3D printing evolves, business models involving the sale of 3D-printed products are emerging. The integration of 3D printers in pharmacies and hospitals is anticipated as regulatory guidelines are established, enabling quality-by-design printing of pharmaceutical forms.
In biomaterials, the use of inks or bioinks is crucial. Natural biomaterials like alginates and synthetic biopolymers enhance the resolution of 3D-printed objects. The diversity of biopolymers and APIs makes 3D printing promising for constructing various drug delivery systems, contributing to effective wound healing. While Inkjet-based systems offer precise printing for tissue engineering. Extrusion-based 3D printing allows for scaffolds and microneedles, with the choice depending on the intended application and polymer properties.
Natural polymers like pectin and pluronic F-127 show efficacy in extrusion-based 3D printing for wound healing. Thermoresponsive hydrogels, including nanocellulose, introduce optimal rheological characteristics for extrusion-based printing, leading to the development of 4D printing.
Oral Drug Delivery Devices (ODDDs) like tablets and capsules are widely used for their rapid release profiles, but traditional methods limit design flexibility and often result in a "one-dose-fits-all" approach due to high costs and potential drug interactions. A study done in 1999 explored 3D printing for ODDDs, showcasing the ability to tailor release mechanisms. Binder Jetting has since gained approval for the first 3D printed drug, Spritam®, in 2016.
Material Jetting (MJ) and filament extrusion techniques have also been employed for ODDDs, allowing for the creation of tablets with various release profiles. Topical drug delivery through 3D printing has improved drug loading and accuracy in masks and wound dressings compared to traditional methods. Personalized 3D-printed masks for facial hypertrophic scars have been developed.
For rectal and vaginal drug delivery, 3D printing methods such as SLA and filament extrusion have been utilized to create customizable geometries for suppositories and intrauterine system (IUS) devices. In parenteral drug delivery, 3D printing has been used to create microneedles for rapid drug action and implantable devices like stents and catheters.
While the future of 3D printing in drug delivery holds significant potential, challenges include ensuring quality control, safety, and regulatory compliance, with limited guidance available. Large-scale manufacturing and collaboration among academia, industry, and government are crucial for widespread adoption. Machine learning (ML) is emerging as a tool to optimize design parameters and predict 3D printing performance, contributing to enhanced product quality and productivity.
References:
Katstra W, Palazzolo R, Rowe C, et al. Oral Dosage Forms Fabricated by Three Dimensional Printing. J Controlled Release. 2000;66:1–9
Mancilla-De-la-Cruz J, Rodriguez-Salvador M, An J, Chua CK. Three-Dimensional Printing Technologies for Drug Delivery Applications: Processes, Materials, and Effects. Int J Bioprint. 2022 Oct 20;8(4):622
Uchida DT, Bruschi ML. 3D Printing as a Technological Strategy for the Personalized Treatment of Wound Healing. AAPS PharmSciTech. 2023 Jan 25;24(1):41