How Will 3-D Printed Pills Affect the Pharmaceuticals Industry?

The USA has just approved production of a 3D-printed pill, and for the pharmaceuticals industry it opens up some seriously lucrative new doors. The concept of ‘downloadable medicine’ has now become a tangible reality and British pharmaceuticals companies are hoping that their patents will be next to reap the benefits. So what exactly does 3D-printed medicine mean for the healthcare industry? Read on as we explore how the breakthrough development will shape the face of the future.

Pills that are easier to pop

The 3D-printed drug was developed by Ohio-based pharmaceutical company Aprecia. Using its trademark ‘ZipDose’ technology the company 3D-printed Spritam levetiracetam pills designed to control epilepsy induced seizures. The technique creates a more porous pill that rapidly dissolves when coming into contact with liquid, thus making it easier to swallow.

Marvin Rorick, a neurologist at Cincinnati based Riverhills Neuroscience maintains that the ease of swallowing will encourage epileptics to stick to treatment regimes, and make it much easier for caregivers to administer medication to children and elderly patients.

Enhanced precision

One of the major benefits of 3D-printed pills is the fact that they can be tightly packaged to include higher, more precise doses of active ingredients.

Personalised medicine

Experts have hailed 3D-printed pills for the personalised potential they bring to the pharmaceuticals industry. In a matter of seconds drug manufacturers will be able to tweak specifications to print pills that are tailor made to suit the unique needs of the patient. This will be far more effective than the ‘one size fits all’ approach that pill manufacturers currently adopt.

Dr Mohamed Albed Alhnan, a lecturer in pharmaceutics at the University of Central Lancashire explains, “For the last 50 years, we have manufactured tablets in factories and shipped them to hospitals. For the first time, this process means we can produce tablets much closer to the patient.”

The future of 3D pills

Already, exciting new developments are on the horizon. Researchers at the University College London’s School of Pharmacy are pioneering a 3D printing machine that manufactures pills in an array of different shapes, from pyramids to spheres. The technique is called ‘hot melt extrusion’ and is intended to release drugs at varying rates. For example, a pyramid shaped pill would release active ingredients at a slower rate than a cube shaped counterpart. This offers patients enhanced control over dosage amounts and distributions.  

3D printing has incredible potential, with the development of viable inkjet technology for human cell creation sparking particular excitement. ‘Miniature VHS Solenoid Valves Play Significant Role in the Viability of 3D Bio-Printing of Human Cells’ explores the world of ‘biofabrication’ and its potential to replace the controversial process of testing new drugs on animals.