Personalized Medicine via 3D Printing in Pharmaceutics: Advancements, Applications, and Future Prospects

Abstract

Personalized medicine has emerged as a transformative approach in modern healthcare, focusing on tailoring therapeutic interventions according to individual patient characteristics such as genetics, physiology, age, and disease profile. Conventional pharmaceutical manufacturing primarily relies on mass production of standardized dosage forms, which often fails to accommodate patient-specific dose requirements and variable therapeutic responses. In this context, three-dimensional (3D) printing, also known as additive manufacturing, has gained significant attention as an innovative technology capable of producing customized drug delivery systems. 3D printing enables the fabrication of pharmaceutical dosage forms with precise control over drug dose, geometry, and release characteristics through layer-by-layer deposition guided by computer-aided design models. Various printing technologies have been explored in pharmaceutics, including Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Stereolithography (SLA), inkjet printing, Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), and semi-solid extrusion. These technologies facilitate the development of complex and patient-specific dosage forms that are difficult to achieve using conventional manufacturing methods. Recent research demonstrates the application of 3D printing in the production of polypills, pediatric and geriatric formulations, controlled-release tablets, drug-loaded implants, and personalized drug delivery devices. Despite its promising potential, several challenges remain, including regulatory uncertainties, limited availability of suitable pharmaceutical-grade printable materials, scalability concerns, and the need for robust quality control strategies. Nevertheless, continuous advancements in materials science, digital manufacturing, and regulatory frameworks are expected to accelerate the integration of 3D printing into personalized pharmaceutical therapy, paving the way for more patient-centric drug delivery systems.