Researchers at England's University of Nottingham have pioneered 3D-printed 'polypills', which aim to simplify drug regimens and improve patient care.
In a study published in Materials Today Advances, a team of industrial engineers and pharmacists revealed their breakthrough in tailored medicine. They used Multi-Material InkJet 3D Printing to create edible pills with highly customizable medication doses and release times. These polypills have the potential to change drug administration by lowering the risk of errors and increasing patient adherence.
Assistant Professor Yinfeng He, the research lead, describes this achievement as “an exciting step” toward tailored medical care. With administration errors accounting for up to one-third of prescription errors in US households, there is an obvious need for creative solutions.
This new technology has far-reaching ramifications beyond streamlining medication scheduling. Polypills, which adapt drug release profiles to individual patient demands, could improve treatment outcomes for a variety of disorders. Pharmacy professor and study co-author Felicity Rose underlines the value of individualized therapy in resolving drug adherence issues.
It all looks like good news, paving the path for a future in which complex pharmaceutical regimens are simplified and patient outcomes are improved by merging cutting-edge technology with personalized healthcare.