REVIEW OF THE EXPANDING ROLE OF PATCH IN MODERN HEALTHCARE

Transdermal patches offer a non-invasive and patient-friendly alternative to traditional drug delivery routes, by delivering a controlled dose of medication through the skin into the bloodstream. The review article by Wongetal. (2023) explores the evolution of medical patches for transdermal drug delivery, beginning with conventional systems and culminating in recent innovations. Major innovations include dissolvable and biodegradable patches, systems with enhanced drug loading and release, microneedle-based platforms, and 3D- printed patches capable of delivering a wider range of therapeutics such as biologics. The paper highlights how these emerging technologies aim to overcome limitations such as poor skin barrier permeability, first-pass metabolism, and the need for frequent dosing. The review concludes with a discussion of future challenges and opportunities in designing next- generation transdermal patches that are smarter, more adaptable and capable of delivering complex therapies.