Impressão tridimensional nas ciências farmacêuticas: uma revisão sobre os benefícios, desenvolvimentos, aplicações e desafios tecnológicos

Introduction: Three-dimensional printing (3DP), also known as additive manufacturing, has emerged as a transformative technology in the pharmaceutical industry. It enables the fabrication of complex drug delivery systems and personalized dosage forms via precise layer-by-layer material deposition. This technology has numerous advantages over traditional manufacturing methods, including greater control over drug dosage, geometry, and release characteristics. Objective: This review aims to explore the benefits, technological developments, pharmaceutical applications, and major challenges associated with the implementation of three-dimensional printing in pharmaceutical sciences. Method: A narrative review approach was used based on previously published literature on 3D printing technologies in pharmaceutical research and drug delivery systems. Relevant research on various 3D printing methods, applications in the creation of dosage forms, and regulatory factors was examined. Results: The study found that several 3D printing technologies, including fused deposition modeling (FDM), pressure-assisted microsyringe technology (PAM), stereolithography (SLA), and selective laser sintering (SLS), have been successfully used in pharmaceutical development. These technologies enable the creation of personalized medicines, polypills with multiple active ingredients, controlled-release formulations, transdermal systems, implants, and microneedle devices. Furthermore, 3DP allows for rapid prototyping, reduces material waste, and makes it easier to design patient-specific dosage forms based on individual needs. Regardless of these benefits, several technological and regulatory challenges persist, such as limitations in printable drug-polymer combinations, scalability problems, quality control requirements, and the lack of standardized regulatory systems. Conclusions: Three-dimensional printing is a promising and innovative platform that has the potential to revolutionize pharmaceutical manufacturing and delivery. Continued multidisciplinary studies, innovations in technology, and regulatory development are required to assist 3DP in successfully navigating the transition from laboratory-scale experimentation to regular pharmaceutical manufacturing.