Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a new method for 3D printing medication, enabling the creation of personalized pills. This innovation, utilizing Multi-Material InkJet 3D Printing (MM-IJ3DP), marks a significant advancement in pharmaceutical technology, as detailed in Materials Today Advances.
The technique allows for the fabrication of custom pharmaceutical tablets with tailored drug release profiles, ensuring more precise and effective treatments for patients. By controlling the drug release rate through the tablet’s unique interior structure, medications can be administered at specific times according to patient needs.
Moreover, this method facilitates the printing of multiple drugs within a single tablet, simplifying complex medication regimens into a single dose. While promising, the technology faces challenges such as the need for expanded formulations supporting a wider range of materials.
“This is an exciting step forwards in the development of personalized medication,” said Dr Yinfeng He, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Engineering’s Centre for Additive Manufacturing.
“This breakthrough not only highlights the potential of 3D printing in revolutionizing drug delivery but also opens up new avenues for the development of next-generation personalized medicines.”
The scalability of this approach, demonstrated by the ability to print 56 pills in a single batch, holds strong potential for the production of personalized medicines. This development addresses the need for improved medication adherence, particularly crucial in conditions requiring precise timing and dosage accuracy.
You can read the full research paper, titled “Enabling high-fidelity personalized pharmaceutical tablets through multimaterial inkjet 3D printing with a water-soluble excipient” at this link.