3D Printing for Drug Delivery and its Pharmaceutical Applications – Recent Findings and Challenges

3D Printing technology also known as Additive Manufacturing is a rapid prototyping process that construct solid product with various geometrics by successive layers of material by the use of Computer-Aided Design (CAD). The introduction of 3DP technology in the pharmaceutical industry has opened new horizons in the research and development of printed materials and devices. The main benefit of 3DP lies in the production of small batches of medicines each with tailored dosages, shape, size, and release characteristics. This paper presents the current status of research and development in 3DP technology, background and basic procedure involved in 3DP, main components and types of 3DP, different methods and polymers used, advantages, limitations, and applications of 3D printing technology.