Integration of 3D printing with dosage forms: A new perspective for modern healthcare

3D printing is an additive manufacturing technique capable of producing various 3D drug products, medical devices, tissues and organs from digital designs. The first FDA approved 3D drug product, Spritam (R), has encouraged and attracted many researchers in this field with research undergoing to develop various customized dosage forms. This review aims to introduce 3D printing, its history, advantages, challenges and various techniques used in fabrication of drug products. This review also assesses the advantages and importance of customized dosage forms obtained from 3D printing. It focuses on the applications of 3D printing in various conditions such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, neurodegenerative disease and other diseases employing anatomical models, tissues and organs fabrication and importance of individualized dose. Various regulatory issues, challenges and possible disruptions that 3D printing show impact on healthcare and manufacturing are discussed. Overall, this review on 3D printing technology has described the advancements in manufacturing and the futuristic potential for therapeutic approaches to bring in a vast array of useful applications and benefits to human.