A Review on 3D Printing in Pharmaceuticals: Current Advances, Applications and Future Perspectives

Abstract

Additive manufacturing or three-dimensional (3D) printing is one of the revolutionary approaches in pharmaceutical sciences, which helps address certain shortcomings associated with traditional technologies used in drug manufacturing. The latter technique allows fabricating dosage forms via an accurate layer-by-layer printing process. This way, it becomes possible to create dosage forms with complex geometries and precise drug loading and release properties. Increasing demand for customized pharmaceuticals also promotes the implementation of 3D printing, because the technique can be effectively used for making personalized formulations. A number of technologies have been actively studied in recent years to make 3D-printed dosage forms. They include fused deposition modeling, inkjet printing, stereolithography, and selective laser sintering. Using 3D printing technologies, researchers were able to develop dosage forms characterized by different drug-releasing kinetics, including immediate, sustained, and even targeted release systems. Multi-drug delivery systems in the form of polypills are now produced using 3D printing technologies. The above benefits notwithstanding, the implementation of 3D printing in the pharmaceutical sector faces certain challenges. These include regulatory aspects, quality control, manufacturing scalability, and a lack of appropriate excipients, etc. In addition, the need for standardization of the process is important. This review aims to discuss the latest trends in 3D printing technologies, as well as examine their application in the development of new pharmaceutical products and the existing challenges.