Emerging 3D printing technologies for drug delivery devices: Current status and future perspective

The 'one-size-fits-all' approach followed by conventional drug delivery platforms often restricts its appli-cation in pharmaceutical industry, due to the incapability of adapting to individual pharmacokinetic traits. Driven by the development of additive manufacturing (AM) technology, three-dimensional (3D) printed drug delivery medical devices have gained increasing popularity, which offers key advantages over traditional drug delivery systems. The major benefits include the ability to fabricate 3D structures with customizable design and intricate architecture, and most importantly, ease of personalized medica-tion. Furthermore, the emergence of multi-material printing and four-dimensional (4D) printing inte-grates the benefits of multiple functional materials, and thus provide widespread opportunities for the advancement of personalized drug delivery devices. Despite the remarkable progress made by AM tech-niques, concerns related to regulatory issues, scalability and cost-effectiveness remain major hurdles. Herein, we provide an overview on the latest accomplishments in 3D printed drug delivery devices as well as major challenges and future perspectives for AM enabled dosage forms and drug delivery systems. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

With the advancement of additive manufacturing technology, 3D printed drug delivery medical devices have gained popularity for their customizable design, intricate structure, and personalized medication. Challenges remain in regulatory issues, scalability, and cost-effectiveness despite remarkable progress made by AM techniques.