3D printing has come a long way since invention, making leaps and bounds for it’s uses since experts first started experimenting with the technology. Use of 3D printing is more than just a fun bit of technology, it now plays important roles in manufacturing, intersection of design, and prototyping consumer products that may otherwise be still stuck in limbo thanks to all of the required prerequisites.
In today’s settings producing specific items that need to be used for specific scenarios and/or tasks. The medical industry has benefited in the regard in particular, as often there are customized solutions needed that can only be provided by 3D printing. The same may be said for the pharmaceutical industry considering the fact that it’s a huge complicated industry often with convoluted and lengthy processes needed to manufacture most of everything. Prescription drugs needed in remote areas now potentially could be produced that much quicker using open source methods that are applied to 3D printing, which is the main idea behind the new research and methods by the researchers at the University of Glasgow that have developed a framework that can be used to 3D print drug manufacturing devices wherever and whenever needed as published in the journal Science.
According to the researchers the system is built around the idea that it should be possible to create needed ingredients if there is a requirement for it, augmented by distributing point of use manufacturing in self contained cartridges that require limited user interaction to produce. Their system will allow pharmaceutical companies to radically change the industry and change the relationship between designing, manufacturing, with operation of functional devices eventually.
The research and possible advancement is made possible due to the standardized recipes that are used in the manufacturing of certain specific drugs. The processes for drug synthesis are used in large scale manufacturing schemes researchers have devised a way to break the processes down into smaller steps which can then be translated through into software incorporated for small manufacturing devices.
This is where the part where 3D printing comes into play. Researchers as a test have produced a drug called baclofen, using the same chemical precursors that are currently available and followed a 3 step process to successfully create it. The fact that they were able to make it successfully serves as proof that this concept works. Now the researchers plan to produce other drugs that will require using different steps to manufacture.
This new research will no doubt undergo much scrutiny and will require regulation, but this independent production of drugs opens the door to cheaper and easier access to medicines. The groundbreaking concept must be further developed in order to be determined whether it will end up in the hands of end users or small and medium businesses that cater to their needs.
