

English translation of the opinion article signed by Paul Smaltz and published on 15 October by "Le Journal du Net".
In a world where healthcare is becoming increasingly personalized, drug manufacturing is no exception. The advent of 3D printing in the pharmaceutical industry promises to radically transform the way drugs are designed, developed, and administered. This technology offers a promising solution to the problems of tailoring medicines to individual patients, especially children and the elderly, who often encounter difficulties with traditional forms of medication.
Traditional medicines are not always suitable for all patients. Children, for example, may have difficulty swallowing tablets or may be more sensitive to tastes, while the elderly may encounter similar problems, possibly due to a high pill burden, or other specific contraindications. What's more, non-compliance with prescribed treatment is responsible for half of all treatment failures in the USA, resulting in up to 125,000 deaths a year, and, according to a 2018 survey, non-compliance is responsible for an estimated 10,000 deaths in France per year. This underlines the crucial importance of developing drugs that not only meet patients' specific needs but that are also easier to take.
Significant progress is currently being made in the development of more suitable excipients - the substances that support the active ingredients in a drug. Innovative encapsulation solutions make it possible to create oral dosage forms that disperse rapidly and offer a pleasant taste, thus reducing reluctance to take medication. These advanced encapsulation technologies offer consistent dissolution, superior chemical inertness, and individual tastes, enhancing the patient experience and promoting better compliance.
The real revolution comes with the integration of 3D printing into drug manufacturing, enabling the creation of customized gummies, soft chews, tablets and even orodispersible (ODF) films, each opening unprecedented perspectives in drug personalization.
Currently, the customization of prescribed drugs primarily revolves around basic factors like age and weight, often neglecting crucial individual characteristics. This leads to a significant mismatch between prescribed medications and the unique needs of patients, with studies indicating a discrepancy rate as high as 30-60%. Factors such as sex, metabolism, genetic predispositions, allergies, disease state, lifestyle, and patient preferences are frequently overlooked, preventing the optimization of treatment outcomes.
However, the emergence of 3D printing technology promises to revolutionize this approach, enabling a more comprehensive and scientifically informed customization of prescribed medications. Large hospitals with their own extensive pharmacy facilities have already embraced this level of personalization, producing tailored medications for their patients. As 3D printing technology advances, it is expected to become more accessible, allowing a wider range of patients to benefit from personalized medicine. This transformative shift towards a patient-centric approach will liberate individuals from relying solely on mass-produced medications, instead receiving prescriptions uniquely formulated to meet their specific needs. 3D printing empowers pharmacies to efficiently produce personalized medications on-demand, reducing waste and enhancing overall patient care.
Furthermore, 3D printing enables the creation of polypills, which combine multiple oral medications into a single fixed-dose combination. Initially proposed as a strategy to simplify medication regimens and improve adherence, polypills have shown potential benefits in cardiovascular disease prevention and management. They also hold promise in chronic disease management, complex medication regimens, and various therapeutic areas such as diabetes, oncology, HIV/AIDS, mental health, and neurodegenerative disorders. By reducing the pill burden and streamlining medication administration, polypills enhance convenience and increase patient adherence.
3D printing also accelerates drug development and manufacturing. Prototypes and small batches can be produced in record time, reducing the time between design and drug availability. This speed is critical in emergency situations or when treatments need to be quickly adapted to changing patient needs. Also, by implementing on-demand manufacturing and decentralized production facilities, manufacturers can streamline supply chains, reduce inventory costs, and improve responsiveness to market demand fluctuations.
Finally, the use of 3D printing also promises to reduce production costs. By minimizing raw material waste and optimizing manufacturing processes, this technology could make treatments more affordable and accessible, especially for less common diseases where traditional production is not economically viable.
However, the benefits of 3D printing are not limited to the pharmaceutical companies; 3D printing in hospitals would streamline compounding processes, enhance dosage accuracy, reduce labor intensity, ensure compliance with quality standards, and expand formulation options, addressing challenges associated with traditional compounding methods.
Despite its many benefits, the integration of 3D printing into the pharmaceutical industry presents challenges, not least in terms of the business model to be adopted. The need for specialized training during integration of the printers and the necessity to rethink need to rethink supply chains and regulations can be barriers. In addition, the implications of patents, safety and regulatory compliance require innovative solutions if this technology is to be adopted on a large scale.
The emergence of 3D printing in the pharmaceutical industry heralds a new era for customized medicine, bringing personalized healthcare and point-of-care technology closer together. By leveraging the power of 3D printing, drugs can be tailored precisely to individual patient needs, addressing challenges of compliance and accessibility. This innovative technology promises to revolutionize drug manufacturing, improve patient outcomes, and usher in a future of healthcare that is truly personalized, efficient, and patient-centered.