Why and how to prepare biodegradable, monodispersed, polymeric microparticles in the field of pharmacy?

Drug delivery via biodegradable microparticles benefits from both the protection of the encapsulated drug from hazardous conditions and the controlled release of the encapsulated drug, thereby reducing the administration frequency and improving patient compliance. Microsphere-size particle distribution is considered as being an important factor that affects the choice of the administration route and the drug-release rate. Significant research efforts have been directed towards the production of monodispersed designer particles. Amongst various techniques, some have been examined from lab-scale to industrial-scale. This review provides a global overview of monodispersed microparticle production methods and then focuses on recent processes being used to produce biodegradable microparticles applied in the pharmaceutical field. Further discussion about the choice of process according to the microparticle objectives of use is suggested. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.