The Future of 3D Printing Drugs In Pharmacies Is Closer Than Anticipated

3D printing drugs is no longer a distant dream. With cutting-edge technology, it is now possible to create drugs of various shapes and types. FabRx, a UK-based biotech company, envisions a future where 3D printing drugs becomes a standard practice in hospitals and pharmacies, allowing for the production of personalized medications in specific dosages within the next 5-10 years. The company has developed a technology that enables the printing of tablets in just 7-17 seconds, a significant improvement over previous methods.

Printing Customized Drugs at Home

Imagine a scenario in the near future: Annie receives a call from her daughter’s school informing her that the child has a high fever. After visiting the school doctor, it is determined that her daughter has the flu and needs to go home. The doctor prescribes medication, but due to a technical issue with the 3D printer at the school, he is unable to provide the pills immediately. However, Annie reassures him that they have a 3D printer at home. She can easily print out the required medication in the precise dosage and even in the shape of a starfish, her daughter’s favorite animal. Annie checks the drug ingredients and decides to either print them at home or obtain them from the nearest pharmacy.

Advancements in 3D Printing of Drugs

In recent years, significant progress has been made in the field of 3D printing drugs. In 2015, the FDA approved Spritam, an epilepsy medication manufactured using 3D printing technology. Researchers at the University College of London have experimented with printing drugs in various shapes, such as dinosaurs and octopuses, to make them more appealing to children. Chinese company Triastek received FDA approval for its T19 product designed to treat rheumatoid arthritis using 3D printing technology.

Custom Drugs and the Future of Medicine

While the concept of custom drugs through 3D printing may seem extravagant, it holds great promise for producing small batches of medications for rare conditions. Setting up a 3D printing facility is more cost-effective than establishing a traditional pharmaceutical plant and enables efficient drug manufacturing without wastage.

FabRx and the Revolution of Drug Production

Recognizing the potential of 3D printing in the pharmaceutical industry, Professors Abdul Basit and Simon Gaisford founded FabRx in 2014. The company aims to commercialize printed tablets within the next 5-10 years. Alvaro Goyanes, the director of development at FabRx, highlights that while the technology is ready, regulatory challenges need to be addressed to gain acceptance for 3D printing in drug manufacturing.

Enhancing Drug Absorption Through 3D Printing

Besides improving the drug manufacturing process, 3D printing offers the potential for more effective drug absorption. Research indicates that pills of different shapes affect absorption rates, with pyramid-shaped pills being absorbed faster than others. By selecting specific shapes, such as unicorns or starfish, drug release and absorption can be optimized.

Challenges and Opportunities in Drug Personalization

With 3D printing, precise doses of medications can be tailored to individual needs, eliminating the need for frequent dosing. While patients may embrace this innovation, medical professionals are cautious about its widespread adoption. FabRx is conducting trials to evaluate the acceptability of custom-shaped pills among volunteers, indicating a positive response.

The Road Ahead for 3D Printed Drugs

Despite skepticism in the medical community, the future of 3D printing drugs appears promising. FabRx plans to introduce 3D printers in hospitals within the next five years for in situ trials, paving the way for widespread adoption in the coming decade. Regulatory bodies must adapt to this evolving technology to ensure its safe and effective use in healthcare.

3D printing drugs has the potential to revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry, offering personalized solutions and streamlined drug manufacturing processes. As this technology advances, regulatory agencies and governments must stay abreast of developments to safeguard patient safety and uphold quality standards in drug production.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Alternative Medicine?

It’s a method of healing that focuses more on prevention than treatment. It encourages people become educated consumers who are actively involved in improving their overall health and well-being.

Alternative medicine refers generally to any form of diagnosis or treatment that does away with allopathic (conventional), medical approaches.

Why is holistic medicine so much better?

Holistic health care focuses on treating the whole person rather than on individual symptoms. This means looking at how someone feels, what they eat, where they live, how much stress they are under etc…

Holistic medicine treats patients as an integrated whole. It may sound simple, but in practice, this approach is very difficult to achieve because most doctors focus solely on the physical side of patients.

What are the 5 domains of integrative medicine?

The five domains that make up integrative medicine are mind-body (nutrition, social determinants), lifestyle, and prevention. These five areas cover all aspects of health care including spiritual, physical, and environmental well being.

Integrative medicine provides a comprehensive approach to the treatment of disease, health, and well-being. It includes both conventional medical treatment and complementary therapies such acupuncture.

Which types of treatment should not be considered holistic medicine?

Holistic medicine is a way to heal that examines the whole person instead of just the symptoms. It promotes health and prevents disease.

Holistic medicine is a natural alternative to drugs and surgery.

Holistic medicine involves lifestyle changes such diet, exercise and yoga.

Integrative medicine, also known as Holistic Medicine, integrates all aspects a patient’s mental, physical, and emotional needs into one comprehensive treatment plan.

Holistic medicine emphasizes prevention, early detection and healthy living.

Holistic doctors believe in the possibility of multiple causes. Instead, they look at the entire picture, including genetic factors, environmental influences, lifestyle choices, and personal habits.

Holistic practitioners pay more attention to the mind, the emotions, and the spirit than to the body.

Holistic physicians consult with their patients to help them determine the best option for them.

What does holistic mean to you?

Holistic is a holistic approach. It means looking at the whole picture rather than just part of it. This is not always easy because we are used to seeing things as separate parts.

Our default mentality is to see things in black and white. There are many shades of grey.

When working on a project, you should try to view it from multiple angles. Look at it from all sides.

Try to understand how it fits together as a whole. How do the various components interact?

If you do find a problem, try to figure out why. And don’t forget to consider the impact of any change you make.

What is another name for alternative medicine?

Alternative medicine is a broad term that describes any alternative approach to healing. While there are many alternative medical approaches, the majority are based on a belief that health care should be rooted primarily in natural substances and practices.

Alternative medicine includes acupuncture, homeopathy, herbalism, naturopathy, osteopathic manipulation, traditional Chinese medicine, reflexology, shamanic healing, spiritual healing, prayer, energy healing, aromatherapy, meditation, yoga, chiropractic, massage therapy, Reiki, and various types of psychotherapy.

Alternative practitioners often claim that they have better outcomes for patients, with fewer side effects and lower costs. These claims can’t be supported scientifically, as mainstream medical authorities have mostly ignored the evidence-based advantages of alternative medicine.

Statistics

In the 17% in which they disagreed, a third reader agreed with one of the initial readers to set a rating. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)
category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
These studies found that 38.4% concluded positive or possibly positive effects for CAM (12.4%), 4.8% concluded no effect, 0.7% concluded harmful effects, and 56.6% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to a 2005 book by a US [116]Institute of Medicine panel, the number of RCTs focused on CAM has risen dramatically. (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

How To

What are the Advances and Shortcomings of Holistic Medicine.

Holistic medicine refers to a medical approach that stresses the importance of the mind, body and spirit in healing. It was developed during the late 19th century by Dr. Edward Bach (1886-1936), who published his first book, The Doctor’s Book of Mind Cure, in 1924. Simple techniques like meditation, visualization, hypnosis, and visualization were used by him. People suffering from anxiety, depression and pain can benefit from this treatment. In addition, this kind of therapy helps patients cope with their problems and improve their quality of life.

While holistic therapies are still being used today, there is not enough evidence to support their effectiveness. Some studies have shown that holistic therapies can reduce the symptoms of chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, arthritis, headaches, heart disease, hypertension and migraines, as well as other diseases such as cancer, heart disease, hypertension, stroke, bone fractures, and obesity.

Holistic medicine has both its strengths and its weaknesses.

Lack of scientific evidence. A few carefully designed, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), have evaluated the effectiveness of holistic therapies. Positive results are found in the majority of observational studies.
Low cost compared to conventional medicine. Alternative medicines can be cheaper than traditional ones, particularly if the patient follows a healthy diet.
Patients do NOT feel pressured or compelled to follow prescribed protocols.
Many doctors recommend complementary treatments even though they may not prescribe them.
Many holistic treatments can be combined with traditional medicine. For example, acupuncture is usually done along with medication or surgery.
Alternative therapies are believed to be more effective than conventional medicine.
Alternative drugs are considered more natural and less harmful than traditional drugs.
Many patients seek out complementary therapies to help them adapt their lifestyles. They want to be well but still enjoy their lives.
Holistic treatments are more beneficial for patients.
Senior adults are increasingly interested in holistic treatments.
Complementary treatments require more research.
Studies have shown that the majority of people would rather try alternative treatments than see a doctor.
It is important for doctors to realize that not all patients will benefit equally from alternate treatments.
Holistic therapies should be part our culture and education system.
Holistic treatments are not always safe.
It is important to learn how to educate patients about the different treatments so they can make informed choices.
Holistic treatments aren’t only for hippies.
Certain diseases can’t be treated holistically.
Holistic treatments can sometimes be dangerous.
For certain conditions, holistic therapies are beneficial.
Holistic treatments can be very effective.
Holistic treatments use ancient knowledge.
Holistic treatments can be easy to learn.
Holistic treatments are difficult to learn.
Holistic therapies are difficult to learn.
Holistic treatments can be expensive.
Holistic treatments can be quite expensive.
Holistic therapies can be more cost-effective than traditional medicine.
Holistic treatment is more expensive than conventional medicine.

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Holistic Medicine–A Brief History

Holistic medicine is a system of healing that focuses on treating the whole person instead of just their symptoms. It covers all aspects of the body, including emotional, mental and spiritual as well as occupational, environmental, cultural and lifestyle influences. It emphasizes prevention rather than cure and aims to prevent disease through diet, exercise, relaxation, stress management, etc.

Bastyr University established the first holistic school of medicine in Seattle in 1972. After the 1996 publication of “Spontaneous Healing,” Dr. Andrew Weil’s book, holistic medicine began to take root. Dr. David Williams founded the American Holistic Medical Association, Dr. Michael Murray co-founded it in 1997. There are many holistic medicine schools around the world today, including Bastyr University and Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons.

The World Health Organization designated holistic medicine as one the five top trends in healthcare in 2013. This trend seeks to integrate conventional healthcare with complementary therapies, such as homeopathy, acupuncture and massage therapy. This integration will provide safe, effective and patient-centered care with minimal side effects.

Holistic medicine is based on the interconnectedness and harmony of the body, mind, spirit. When any of these three parts are out of balance, illness occurs. For example:

When your mind is anxious or stressed, you can become tense and out-of-balance. Cortisol is a hormone which increases inflammation. The result is fatigue, weakness, and sickness.

Anxiety and negative emotions can lead to anxiety, fear, grief, sadness, and other unpleasant feelings. These create stress in your brain. If you don’t treat this stress, your body can produce adrenaline (and cortisol) if it isn’t addressed. Adrenaline can increase your heart rate and blood pressure as well as your breathing rate. Cortisol can affect your nervous system, immune system, and digestive tract. Both hormones can cause muscle tension, fatigue, headaches (dizziness), insomnia, anxiety and depression, among other health problems.

If your spirit is low, it can cause you to lose faith in yourself and your ability to see the good in others. You may also lack self-esteem and confidence. This could result in poor eating habits, unhealthy relationships and low energy. Healthy spirits make you happy, positive, joyful, peaceful, and optimistic.

Differentiation between alternative and allopathic medicine

Allopathic medicine is based upon the scientific method. To diagnose patients, doctors use x-rays and MRIs as well as CAT scans and other technologies. They may also prescribe medications or surgery if necessary. Allopathic doctors believe that they have a complete understanding of the human body and can treat any illnesses. Alternative medicine includes herbs, vitamins, minerals and exercise. It also includes spiritual healing, emotional support, and diet. There is no standard definition of alternative medicine. It is sometimes called natural medicine, integrative medical, or complementary medicine. Others refer to them as traditional medicine, holistic medicine, and CAM.

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By: berci.mesko
Title: The Future of 3D Printing Drugs In Pharmacies Is Closer Than Anticipated
Sourced From: medicalfuturist.com/future-3d-printing-drugs-pharmacies-closer-think
Published Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2024 09:07:10 +0000