Transdermal Drug Delivery Systems in Diabetes Management: A Review

Diabetes mellitus is a long-term disease that happens when the pancreas does not make enough insulin, or when the body cannot use the insulin properly. More than 415 million people in the world have diabetes, and this number may reach 642 million by 2040. The World Health Organization (WHO) says that by 2030, diabetes will be the seventh leading cause of death. Most people with diabetes are treated with insulin injections or tablets, but these treatments are sometimes hard for patients to follow regularly. In recent years, scientists have started focusing on transdermal systems – special patches or devices that deliver medicine through the skin. These systems have many benefits compared to injections and tablets. Studies show that medicines given through the skin are better absorbed because they do not pass through the liver first. They also release the medicine slowly over time, which helps keep blood sugar levels steady and reduces the need to take medicine many times a day. This makes it easier for patients to follow their treatment and improves their overall health. In short, using skin patches for diabetes treatment is a new and promising method that can make diabetes control easier and more effective.