3D Printing of Personalized Medicines

In pharmacy, 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, has become popular because it can make medicines more specific by changing the dose, the way they release, or even mixing different drugs into one dosage form. A lot of the talk these days is about personalized doses and making polypills, but there are other, less-explored paths that could completely change the way pharmacies work in the future. One of these is coming up with new ways to send drugs. On the other hand, 3D printing can create complicated shapes that let drugs spread in a controlled way, like porous supports, micro-channels, or structures with many layers. This means that implantable drug-eluting devices, tissue-engineering supports, and orally disintegrating formulations can be made for people who have trouble eating. These kinds of new ideas could help pharmaceutical technology and regenerative medicine work together better. Another new trend is adding smart materials to dosage forms that are 3D-made.

Researchers can make medicines that only release drugs under certain conditions by using polymers or excipients that react to physiological factors, such as pH, temperature, or enzymatic activity. For instance, a 3D-printed capsule could only release its contents in the gut. This would reduce side effects in the body as a whole and improve therapeutic action in the area. The possibility of decentralized manufacturing is just as important. 3D printing makes it possible to make medicines on demand in hospitals, neighbourhood pharmacies, and even places with few resources, like disaster zones, rural health centers, or space missions, where traditional drug supply chains wouldn't work. This could change how easy it is to get drugs and how health emergencies are handled around the world. 3D printing has a lot of untapped uses in education and study as well. For example, experimental dosage forms can be quickly made and tested, which speeds up the drug development process.

At SGT University — the Best Private University in Delhi, the Faculty of Pharmacy is leading innovation in 3D-printed personalized medicines. Through its Pharmacy Programmes, students learn cutting-edge techniques in drug design, smart delivery systems, and additive manufacturing. Join us at SGT University to explore more!

“3D printing is set to transform pharmacy and patient care—join us at SGT University to explore more!”

Blog by: Dr. Ritu Mishra

Designation: Associate Professor

Pharmacy Practice, SGTCOP