A Review of 3D Printing Technology in Pharmaceutics: Technology and Applications, Now and Future

Clinical implementation of a paediatric 3D-printed combination of Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim

Adherence to treatment is one of the major challenges in chronic diseases. Inappropriate dosage forms or bad taste are the main factor for non-adherence, especially in paediatric patients. 3D printed medicines could be tailored to specific patients to make medicines more acceptable, however the clinical implementation in hospitals is still limited. This study addresses the challenge of developing pharma-inks (mixtures of drugs and excipients) for semi-solid extrusion (SSE) to produce chewable tablets of Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and Trimethoprim (TMP) for paediatric oncology patients in a hospital setting. SMX and TMP pharma-inks were stable and printable on demand for more than 3 months. The chewable tablets were also stable, and the drugs dissolution profiles were comparable to those of the commercial formulations, indicating potential bioequivalence. Human sensory evaluations confirmed that the formulation improved palatability compared to traditional suspensions. 3D-printed SMX/TMP formulations are an alternative to traditional formulations for paediatric patients in hospital settings, enhancing acceptability and adherence while enabling personalized dosing.

3D Bioprinting: Shaping the Future of Periodontal Tissue Regeneration and Disease Management

The periodontium is one of the most complex tissues in the body, consisting of a hierarchical blend of soft and hard tissues. Its complex architecture makes treating and regenerating disease-damaged periodontal tissues a persistent challenge in biomedicine. Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting represents a transformative approach to tissue engineering, offering promising advancements in treating and regenerating periodontal disease. This innovative technology enables the precise fabrication of complex, patient-specific tissue structures, facilitating the repair and restoration of damaged periodontal tissues, including the gingiva, bone, and periodontal ligament (PDL). By utilizing biocompatible materials such as living cells, hydrogels, and growth factors, 3D bioprinting has the potential to create functional, biologically integrated constructs that can mimic the natural architecture of periodontal tissues. However, translating these advancements into clinical applications remains a challenge. Emerging technologies like bioprinting have been developed to address some limitations of traditional tissue engineering methods. This review explores the current state of 3D bioprinting technology, its application in periodontal disease treatment, and the challenges associated with scaling up this technology for clinical use. Additionally, it discusses the future implications of bioprinting for personalized medicine, offering a new frontier for regenerating periodontal tissues and improving patient outcomes in oral health. Integrating 3D bioprinting into periodontal regenerative therapies could revolutionize clinical practices, offering more effective, tailored, and sustainable solutions to address the challenges of periodontal disease.

The Future of Medicine: How 3D Printing Is Transforming Pharmaceuticals

Three-dimensional printing technology is transforming pharmaceutical manufacturing by shifting from conventional mass production to additive manufacturing, with a strong emphasis on personalized medicine. The integration of bioinks and AI-driven optimization is further enhancing this innovation, enabling drug production with precise dosages, tailored drug-release profiles, and unique multi-drug combinations that respond to individual patient needs. This advancement is significantly impacting healthcare by accelerating drug development, encouraging innovative pharmaceutical designs, and enhancing treatment efficacy. Traditional pharmaceutical manufacturing follows a one-size-fits-all approach, which often fails to meet the specific requirements of patients with unique medical conditions. In contrast, 3D printing, coupled with bioink formulations, allows for on-demand drug production, reducing dependency on large-scale manufacturing and storage. AI-powered design and process optimization further refine dosage forms, printability, and drug release mechanisms, ensuring precision and efficiency in drug manufacturing. These advancements have the potential to lower overall healthcare costs while improving patient adherence to medication regimens. This review explores the potential, challenges, and environmental benefits of 3D pharmaceutical printing, positioning it as a key driver of next-generation personalized medicine.

What Does Pharmaceutical 3D Printing Cost? A Framework and Case Study with Hydrocortisone for Adrenal Insufficiency

BACKGROUND

Pharmaceutical three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology offers an automated platform that can be utilized to manufacture personalized medicine, improving pharmacotherapy. Although 3D-printed products have entered clinical trials, no costing studies have been performed yet. Cost insights can aid researchers and industry in making informed decisions about the feasibility and scalability of 3DP.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this research was therefore to develop a framework that can be utilized to estimate the manufacturing cost of one 3D tablet in a hospital pharmacy setting.

METHODS

To develop the costing framework, general manufacturing phases were identified, consisting of (i) pre-printing, (ii) printing, and (iii) post-printing. For each phase, cost categories were defined, including personnel, materials, equipment, facility, and quality assurance. The three phases combined with the categories formed the base of the costing framework. An earlier developed 3D-printed hydrocortisone formulation (M3DICORT) was used as a case study. Costs were expressed in 2022 euros (€). The framework was applied to M3DICORT in four scenarios: a base case scenario, worst-case scenario, best-case scenario, and a scaling scenario. In the scaling scenario, we assumed that 3D inks were mass produced.

RESULTS

Costs of manufacturing a single M3DICORT tablet were €1.97-3.11 (best-case-worst-case) and €1.58-2.26 for the scaling scenario.

CONCLUSION

Manufacturing costs of 3D-printed pharmaceuticals were thus far unknown. The framework is translated into an open-access costing tool to facilitate adoption by other parties, and is also applicable for other pharmaceutical 3DP techniques.

Exploring Manipulated Prescribed Medicines for Novel Leads in 3D Printed Personalized Dosage Forms

Background: On-demand personalized drug production is currently not addressed with large-scale drug manufacturing. In our study, we focused primarily on identifying possible active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for 3D Printing (3DP) in the current healthcare setting. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study in the Netherlands using three different sources; community pharmacies (n = 5), elderly care homes (n = 3), and the Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital. The primary endpoint was the percentage of prescriptions of medication manipulated before administration, thereby being a candidate for 3DP. Around a million prescriptions were analyzed in our study. Results: This study shows that around 3.0% of the prescribed drugs dispensed by Dutch community pharmacies were manipulated before administration, while around 10.5% of the prescribed drugs in the Erasmus MC Sophia Children's Hospital were manipulated prior to administration. Conclusions: With our study, we show that the most manipulated drugs come from the groups of constipation, psychopharmaceutical, cardiovascular, and anti-infectant drugs. Successful introduction of a compounded API drug by 3DP does not only rely on the API, but it also comes with an optimal balance between technical, economic as well as societal impact factors. Our study gives direction for potential future research on the introduction of 3DP of medicine in the healthcare setting.

Droplet-based 3D bioprinting for drug delivery and screening

Recently, the conventional criterion of "one-size-fits-all" is not qualified for each individual patient, requiring precision medicine for enhanced therapeutic effects. Besides, drug screening is a high-cost and time-consuming process which requires innovative approaches to facilitate drug development rate. Benefiting from consistent technical advances in 3D bioprinting techniques, droplet-based 3D bioprinting techniques have been broadly utilized in pharmaceutics due to the noncontact printing mechanism and precise control on the deposition position of droplets. More specifically, cell-free/cell-laden bioinks which are deposited for the fabrication of drug carriers/3D tissue constructs have been broadly utilized for precise drug delivery and high throughput drug screening, respectively. This review summarizes the mechanism of various droplet-based 3D bioprinting techniques and the most up-to-date applications in drug delivery and screening and discusses the potential improvements of droplet-based 3D bioprinting techniques from both technical and material aspects. Through technical innovations, materials development, and the assistance from artificial intelligence, the formation process of drug carriers will be more stable and accurately controlled guaranteeing precise drug delivery. Meanwhile, the shape fidelity and uniformity of the printed tissue models will be significantly improved ensuring drug screening efficiency and efficacy.

3D-Printed Tablets of Nifurtimox: In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Trypanosoma cruzi Studies

Background/Objectives: Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by infection with the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. Benznidazole and nifurtimox are the only approved drugs for treating this condition, but their low aqueous solubility may lead to erratic bioavailability. This work aimed for the first time to formulate tablets of nifurtimox by hot melt extrusion coupled with 3D printing as a strategy to increase drug dissolution and the production of tablets with dosage on demand. Methods: Different pharmaceutical-grade polymers were evaluated through film casting, and those with promising nifurtimox amorphization capacity were further used to prepare filaments by hot melt extrusion. The printability of the obtained filaments was tested, and the polyvinyl alcohol filament was further used for printing tablets containing 120 and 60 mg of nifurtimox. Results: Three-dimensional tablets showed a remarkable improvement in the drug dissolution rate compared to commercial tablets and a dissolution efficiency 2.8 times higher. In vivo studies were carried out on Swiss mice. Parasitemia curves of nifurtimox printed tablets were significantly superior to the pure drug. Moreover, NFX 3D tablets provided a similar Trypanosoma cruzi reduction in plasmatic concentration to benznidazole, the gold-standard drug for acute-phase treatment of the Chagas disease. Conclusions: The findings of this work showed that hot melt extrusion coupled with 3D printing is a promising alternative for increasing nifurtimox biopharmaceutical properties and an attractive approach for personalized medicine.

Recent Developments and Applications of 3D-Printing Technology in Pharmaceutical Drug Delivery Systems: A New Research Direction and Future Trends

The advent of 3D printing technology has emerged as a key technical revolution in recent years, enabling the development and production of innovative medication delivery methods in the pharmaceutical sector. The designs, concepts, techniques, key challenges, and potential benefits during 3D-printing technology are the key points discussed in this review. This technology primarily enables rapid, safe, and low-cost development of pharmaceutical formulations during the conventional and additive manufacturing processes. This phenomenon has wide-ranging implications in current as well as future medicinal developments. Advanced technologies such as Ink-Jet printing, drop-on-demand printing, Zip dose, Electrohydrodynamic Printing (Ejet) etc., are the current focus of the drug delivery systems for enhancing patient convenience and improving medication compliance. The current and future applications of various software, such as CAD software, and regulatory aspects in 3D and 4D printing technology are discussed briefly in this article. With respect to the prospective trajectory of 3D and 4D printing, it is probable that the newly developed methods will be predominantly utilized in pharmacies and hospitals to accommodate the unique requirements of individuals or niche groups. As a result, it is imperative that these technologies continue to advance and be improved in comparison to 2D printing in order to surmount the aforementioned regulatory and technical obstacles, render them applicable to a vast array of drug delivery systems, and increase their acceptability among patients of every generation.

Development of immediate release tablet formulations of lornoxicam with hot melt extrusion-based three-dimensional printing technology

INTRODUCTION

This study aims to develop immediate release tablet formulations of lornoxicam (LRX) using hot melt extrusion (HME)-based fused deposition modeling (FDM) focusing on the adjustment of drug release by arranging infill densities and evaluating microcrystalline cellulose II (MCC II) as a disintegrating agent for HME-FDM purposes. LRX is a poorly soluble drug that exhibits pH-dependent solubility with a high thermal degradation temperature. These characteristics make it an ideal model drug for the HME-based FDM technique.

METHODS

Various filament formulations were extruded using an extruder, and suitable filaments were used to produce 3D-printed tablets. Filaments and tablets were characterized. Dissolution studies were performed on tablets with different infill densities. DSC, FTIR, XRD, and SEM analyses were conducted.

RESULTS

Although the solubility of LRX increases with pH, disintegrating agents such as MCC II had a more significant effect on the dissolution of LRX than sodium bicarbonate, which was used as the alkalinizing pore-forming agent. Dissolution studies revealed that the dissolution of LRX was enhanced by tablet erosion. Tablet erosion increased as the infill density decreased, and an immediate release profile was reached with tablets having 25% infill density. Despite the availability of conventional immediate release LRX tablets, this newly developed formulation offers the potential to be modulated for personalized therapy via the 3D printing technique.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the feasibility of HME-based FDM printing technology for producing immediate-release LRX tablets with consistent quality, highlighting the utilization of MCC II as a disintegrating agent that enhances LRX dissolution in this process.

Selective Laser Sintering 3D Printing of Carvedilol Tablets: Enhancing Dissolution Through Amorphization

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Selective laser sintering (SLS) is one of the most promising 3D printing techniques for pharmaceutical applications as it offers numerous advantages, such as suitability to work with already approved pharmaceutical excipients, the elimination of solvents, and the ability to produce fast-dissolving, porous dosage forms with high drug loading. When the powder mixture is exposed to elevated temperatures during SLS printing, the active ingredients can be converted from the crystalline to the amorphous state, which can be used as a strategy to improve the dissolution rate and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. This study investigates the potential application of SLS 3D printing for the fabrication of tablets containing the poorly soluble drug carvedilol with the aim of improving the dissolution rate of the drug by forming an amorphous form through the printing process.

METHODS

Using SLS 3D printing, eight tablet formulations were produced using two different powder mixtures and four combinations of experimental conditions, followed by physicochemical characterization and dissolution testing.

RESULTS

Physicochemical characterization revealed that at least partial amorphization of carvedilol occurred during the printing process. Although variations in process parameters were minimal, higher temperatures in combination with lower laser speeds appeared to facilitate a greater degree of amorphization. Ultimately, the partial conversion to the amorphous form significantly improved the dissolution of carvedilol compared to its pure crystalline form.

CONCLUSIONS

Obtained results suggest that the SLS 3D printing technique can be effectively used to convert poorly water-soluble drugs to their amorphous state, thereby improving solubility and bioavailability.

Updates on the conversion of nanosuspensions to solid oral dosage forms

Pharmaceutical nanosuspensions, also called nanocrystals, are heterogeneous mainly aqueous dispersions of insoluble drug particles stabilised by surfactants and/or polymers. Nanosuspensions as liquid formulations suffer from instability. Solidification of nanosuspensions to solid dosage forms is a way to combine the advantages of nanocrystals with the advantages of the solid state. In this review, advances regarding stabilisation and production of nanosuspensions are briefly covered. Updates on the methods used to convert nanosuspensions to solid oral dosage forms (e.g., powder, granules, pellets, tablets, and films) are presented in depth. From these methods, spray drying and freeze drying are widely used. Granulation and hot-melt extrusion allow straightforward downstream processing, while printing exhibits the potential for dose personalisation. Focus is given on novel formulations (e.g., nano-cocrystals, nanocrystalline solid dispersions) which could further enhance the dissolution and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs.

Current developments and advancements of 3-dimensional printing in personalized medication and drug screening

INTRODUCTION

3-Dimensional printing (3DP) is an additive manufacturing (AM) technique that is expanding quickly because of its low cost and excellent efficiency. The 3D printing industry grew by 19.5 % in 2021 in spite of the COVID-19 epidemic, and by 2026, the worldwide market is expected to be valued up to 37.2 billion US dollars.

CONTENT

Science Direct, Scopus, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, DOAJ, and other academic databases provide evidence of the increased interest in 3DP technology and innovative drug delivery approaches in recent times.

SUMMARY

In this review four main 3DP technologies that are appropriate for pharmaceutical applications: extrusion-based, powder-based, liquid-based, and sheet lamination-based systems are discussed. This study is focused on certain 3DP technologies that may be used to create dosage forms, pharmaceutical goods, and other items with broad regulatory acceptance and technological viability for use in commercial manufacturing. It also discusses pharmaceutical applications of 3DP in drug delivery and drug screening.

OUTLOOK

The pharmaceutical sector has seen the prospect of 3D printing in risk assessment, medical personalisation, and the manufacture of complicated dose formulas at a reasonable cost. AM has great promise to revolutionise the manufacturing and use of medicines, especially in the field of personalized medicine. The need to understand more about the potential applications of 3DP in medical and pharmacological contexts has grown over time.

The comprehensive review on 3D printing- pharmaceutical drug delivery and personalized food and nutrition

Three-dimensional printing is one of the emerging technologies that is gaining interest from the pharmaceutical industry as it provides an opportunity to customize drugs according to each patient's needs. Combining different active pharmaceutical ingredients, using different geometries, and providing sustained release enhances the effectiveness of medicine. One of the most innovative uses of 3D printing is producing fabrics, medical devices, medical implants, orthoses, and prostheses. This review summarizes the various 3D printing techniques such as stereolithography, inkjet printing, thermal inkjet printing, fused deposition modelling, extrusion printing, semi-solid extrusion printing, selective laser sintering, and hot-melt extrusion. Also, discusses the drug relies profile and its mechanisms, characteristics, and applications of the most common types of 3D printed API formulations and its recent development. Here, Authors also, summarizes the central flow of 3D food printing process and knowledge extension toward personalized nutrition.

3D Printed Bigel: A Novel Delivery System for Cannabidiol-Rich Hemp Extract

The therapeutic potential of Cannabis sativa L. extract has gained significant attention due to its diverse medical applications. Sublingual administration remains a common delivery method of cannabinoids; however, challenges often arise due to the inconvenient form of the extract and its taste. To address these issues, a novel bigel formulation was developed, combining water and oil phases to enhance stability and bioavailability. This formulation incorporates a cannabidiol-rich hemp extract, hyaluronic acid for its moisturizing properties, and a taste-masking agent to improve patient compliance and comfort. Using a standardized hemp extract rich in cannabinoids and a well-characterized terpene profile, the printability of the bigels was evaluated through 3D printing technology. A printout with known cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) content of 11.613 mg ± 0.192 of CBD and 4.732 mg ± 0.280 of CBDA in the printout was obtained. In addition, the release profile of CBD and CBDA was evaluated to determine the delivery efficiency of the active ingredient-dissolved active ingredient levels ranged from 74.84% ± 0.50 to 80.87% ± 3.20 for CBD and from 80.84 ± 1.33 to 98.31 ± 1.70 for CBDA depending on the formulation. Rheological studies were conducted to evaluate the viscosity of the bigels under varying temperature conditions, ensuring their stability and usability. Findings suggest that this 3D-printed bigel formulation could significantly enhance the delivery of cannabis extracts, offering a more convenient and effective therapeutic option for patients. This research underscores the importance of innovation in cannabinoid therapies and paves the way for further advancements in personalized medicine.

3D printed dosage forms, where are we headed?

INTRODUCTION

3D Printing (3DP) is an innovative fabrication technology that has gained enormous popularity through its paradigm shifts in manufacturing in several disciplines, including healthcare. In this past decade, we have witnessed the impact of 3DP in drug product development. Almost 8 years after the first USFDA approval of the 3D printed tablet Levetiracetam (Spritam), the interest in 3DP for drug products is high. However, regulatory agencies have often questioned its large-scale industrial practicability, and 3DP drug approval/guidelines are yet to be streamlined.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, major technologies involved with the fabrication of drug products are introduced along with the prospects of upcoming technologies, including AI (Artificial Intelligence). We have touched upon regulatory updates and discussed the burning limitations, which require immediate focus, illuminating status, and future perspectives on the near future of 3DP in the pharmaceutical field.

EXPERT OPINION

3DP offers significant advantages in rapid prototyping for drug products, which could be beneficial for personalizing patient-based pharmaceutical dispensing. It seems inevitable that the coming decades will be marked by exponential growth in personalization, and 3DP could be a paradigm-shifting asset for pharmaceutical professionals.

Challenges and Opportunities in Managing Geriatric Depression: The Role of Personalized Medicine and Age-Appropriate Therapeutic Approaches

The global aging population has experienced rapid growth in recent decades, leading to an increased prevalence of psychiatric disorders, particularly depression, among older adults. Depression in the geriatric population is often compounded by chronic physical conditions and various psychosocial factors, significantly impacting their quality of life. The main question raised in this review is as follows: how can personalized medicine and age-appropriate therapeutic approaches improve the management of geriatric depression? This paper explores the epidemiology of geriatric depression, highlighting the influence of gender, race, and socioeconomic status on its prevalence. The classification and diagnosis of geriatric depressive disorders, based on ICD-11 and DSM-5 criteria, reveal the complexity of managing these conditions in older adults. Personalized medicine (PM) emerges as a promising approach, focusing on tailoring treatments to the individual's genetic, clinical, and environmental characteristics. However, the application of PM in this demographic faces challenges, particularly in the context of pharmaceutical forms. The need for age-appropriate drug delivery systems is critical, given the prevalence of polypharmacy and issues such as dysphagia among the older patients. This study emphasizes the importance of developing patient-centric formulations to enhance the effectiveness of personalized therapy in geriatric patients.

An alternative filament fabrication method as the basis for 3D-printing personalized implants from elastic ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer

In this work, a novel tool for small-scale filament production is presented. Unlike traditional methods such as hot melt extrusion (HME), the device (i) allows filament manufacturing from small material amounts as low as three grams, (ii) ensures high diameter stability almost independent of the viscoelastic behavior of the polymer melt, and (iii) enables processing of materials with rheological profiles specifically tailored toward fused filament fabrication (FFF). Hence, novel materials, previously difficult to process due to HME limitations, become easily accessible for FFF for the first time. Here, we showcase the production of highly flexible drug-free, and drug-loaded filaments based on ethylene-vinyl acetate polymers with a vinyl acetate content of 28 w% (EVA28) and unprecedented high melt flow rates of up to 400 g/10 min. Owing to their low viscosity, FFF with low print nozzle sizes of 250 μm was achieved for the first time for EVA28. These small nozzle diameters facilitate 3D-printing of high-resolution structures in small-dimensional dosage forms such as subcutaneous implantable drug delivery systems, which can later be used for personalization. Consequently, the material portfolio for FFF is tremendously broadened, allowing material and formulation optimization toward FFF, independent of a preliminary extrusion process.

Extrusion-based 3D printing for development of complex capsular systems for advanced drug delivery

This review explores the feasibility of extrusion-based 3D printing techniques for producing complex dosage forms (such as capsular shells/devices) that provide controlled drug release and targeted delivery. The current discussion explores how extrusion-based 3D printing techniques, particularly Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) and Pressure-Assisted Modelling (PAM), offer significant advantages in fabricating such complex dosage forms. This technology enables the fabrication of single-, dual-, or multi-compartment capsular systems with customized designs/geometry of the capsular shell to achieve delayed, sustained, or pulsatile drug release. The impact of customized design/geometry on the biopharmaceutical performances of loaded therapeutics is comprehensively discussed. The potential of 3D printing techniques for different specialized drug delivery purposes like gastric floating, implants, suppositories, and printfills are also addressed. This technique has the potential to significantly improve the therapeutic outcomes, and patient adherence to medication regimens, and pave the way for personalized medicine.

Review on Recent Advance of 3DP-Based Pediatric Drug Formulations

Three-dimensional printing (3DP) has emerged as a game-changing technology in the pharmaceutical industry, providing novel formulation development in the pharmaceutical sector as a whole, which improved patients' individualized therapy. The pediatric population is among the key targets for individualized therapy. Children are a diverse group that includes neonates, infants, and toddlers, each with unique physiological characteristics. Treatment adherence has a significant impact on safe and effective pharmacotherapy in the pediatric population. Improvement of therapeutic dosage forms that provide for the special demands of the pediatric population is a significant challenge for the pharmaceutical industry. Scientists have actively explored 3DP, a quick prototype manufacturing method that has emerged in recent years from many occupations due to its benefits of modest operation, excellent reproducibility, and vast adaptability. This review illuminates the most widely used 3DP technology and its application in the development of pediatric-friendly drug formulations. This 3DP technology allows optimization of pediatric dosage regimens and cases that require individualized treatment, such as geriatrics, renal impairment, liver impairment, critically ill, pregnancy populations, and drugs with nonlinear pharmacokinetics. The fast evolution of 3DP expertise, in addition to the introduction of pharmaceutical inks, has enormous promise for patient dosage form customization.

Real-World Evidence of 3D Printing of Personalised Paediatric Medicines and Evaluating Its Potential in Children with Cancer: A Scoping Review

Personalised medicine, facilitated by advancements like 3D printing, may offer promise in oncology. This scoping review aims to explore the applicability of 3D printing for personalised pharmaceutical dosage forms in paediatric cancer care, focusing on treatment outcomes and patient experiences. Following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology, a comprehensive search strategy was implemented to identify the relevant literature across databases including PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Three independent reviewers conducted study selection and data extraction, focusing on studies involving paediatric patients under 18 years old and pharmaceutical dosage forms manufactured using 3D printing technology. From 2752 records screened, only six studies met the inclusion criteria, none of which specifically targeted paediatric cancer patients. These studies examined aspects of acceptability, including swallowability, taste, and feasibility of 3D-printed formulations for children. While the studies demonstrated the potential benefits of 3D printing in paediatric medication, particularly in personalised dosing, there is a notable lack of evidence addressing its acceptability in paediatric cancer patients. Further interdisciplinary collaborative research is needed in this area to fully assess preferences and acceptability among children with cancer and their parents or caregivers.

3D-printed immediate release solid dosage forms: a patent evaluation of US11622940B2

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is one of the most flexible technologies for preparing tablets, offering controlled drug release profiles. The current patent describes the preparation of immediate-release 3D-printed tablets of hydrochlorothiazide to improve disintegration and dissolution profile. The patent involves the preparation of drug-loaded filament via hot-melt extrusion and utilizing the same filaments for printing 3D-printed tablets using fused deposition modeling. The tablets were printed with different shapes and sizes by incorporating channels within the tablet spaces, termed as gaplets. The introduction of channels within the tablet design improves the disintegration and dissolution profile of the drug significantly. The morphological characteristic of 3D-printed tablets was studied by using scanning electron microscopy and revealed the presence of gaplets in the tablets.

Comprehensive review of deep learning in orthopaedics: Applications, challenges, trustworthiness, and fusion

Deep learning (DL) in orthopaedics has gained significant attention in recent years. Previous studies have shown that DL can be applied to a wide variety of orthopaedic tasks, including fracture detection, bone tumour diagnosis, implant recognition, and evaluation of osteoarthritis severity. The utilisation of DL is expected to increase, owing to its ability to present accurate diagnoses more efficiently than traditional methods in many scenarios. This reduces the time and cost of diagnosis for patients and orthopaedic surgeons. To our knowledge, no exclusive study has comprehensively reviewed all aspects of DL currently used in orthopaedic practice. This review addresses this knowledge gap using articles from Science Direct, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and Web of Science between 2017 and 2023. The authors begin with the motivation for using DL in orthopaedics, including its ability to enhance diagnosis and treatment planning. The review then covers various applications of DL in orthopaedics, including fracture detection, detection of supraspinatus tears using MRI, osteoarthritis, prediction of types of arthroplasty implants, bone age assessment, and detection of joint-specific soft tissue disease. We also examine the challenges for implementing DL in orthopaedics, including the scarcity of data to train DL and the lack of interpretability, as well as possible solutions to these common pitfalls. Our work highlights the requirements to achieve trustworthiness in the outcomes generated by DL, including the need for accuracy, explainability, and fairness in the DL models. We pay particular attention to fusion techniques as one of the ways to increase trustworthiness, which have also been used to address the common multimodality in orthopaedics. Finally, we have reviewed the approval requirements set forth by the US Food and Drug Administration to enable the use of DL applications. As such, we aim to have this review function as a guide for researchers to develop a reliable DL application for orthopaedic tasks from scratch for use in the market.

Surface Enrichment and Depletion of Components in a Ternary Drug-Surfactant-Polymer Amorphous Solid Dispersion

Amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) can be used to enhance the solubility and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. An ASD is often a ternary system containing a drug, a surfactant, and a polymer. Recent work on binary ASDs has observed significant differences between surface and bulk compositions, with impacts on wettability and stability. Here we investigate a ternary ASD composed of the antifungal posaconazole, the surfactant Span 80, and a dispersion polymer (PVP or PVP/VA). The surfactant loading was fixed at the typical level of 5 wt %, and the drug/polymer ratio was varied. We observed strong surface enrichment of the surfactant and simultaneous depletion of the drug. This effect is already pronounced in the binary drug-surfactant system and is enhanced by the addition of the polymers. Between the two polymers, the more hydrophilic PVP causes a stronger enhancement of the surface enrichment effect. These results demonstrate the impact of component interactions on the surface composition of ASDs and the performance.

Material extrusion 3D-printing technology: A new strategy for constructing water-soluble, high-dose, sustained-release drug formulations

The advantage of low-temperature forming through direct ink writing (DIW) 3D printing is becoming a strategy for the construction of innovative drug delivery systems (DDSs). Optimization of the complex formulation, including factors such as the printing ink, presence of solvents, and potential low mechanical strength, are challenges during process development. This study presents an application of DIW to fabricate water-soluble, high-dose, and sustained-release DDSs. Utilizing poorly compressible metformin hydrochloride as a model drug, a core-shell delivery system was developed, featuring a core composed of 96 % drug powder and 4 % binder, with a shell structure serving as a drug-release barrier. This design aligns with the sustained-release profile of traditional processes, achieving a 25.8 % reduction in volume and enhanced mechanical strength. The strategy facilitates sustained release of high-dose water-soluble formulations for over 12 h, potentially improving patient compliance by reducing formulation size. Process optimization and multi-batch flexibility were also explored in this study. Our findings provide a valuable reference for the development of innovative DDSs and 3D-printed drugs.

3D Printed Drug Delivery Systems in Action-Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Relaxometry for Monitoring Mass Transport Phenomena

The hypothesis of the study was that (1) 3D printed drug delivery systems (DDS) could be characterized in situ during drug release using NMR/MRI techniques in terms of mass transport phenomena description (interfacial phenomena), particularly for systems dealing with two mobile phases (e.g., water and low molecular weight liquid polymer); (2) consequently, it could be possible to deduce how these interfacial mass transport phenomena influence functional properties of 3D printed DDS. Matrix drug delivery systems, prepared using masked stereolithography (MSLA), containing poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) and low molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG) with ropinirole hydrochloride (RH) were studied as example formulations. The PEGDA to PEG (mobile phase) concentration ratio influenced drug release. It was reflected in spatiotemporal changes in parametric T2 relaxation time (T2) and amplitude (A) images obtained using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and T1-T2 relaxation time correlations obtained using low-field time-domain nuclear magnetic resonance (LF TD NMR) relaxometry during incubation in water. For most of the tested formulations, two signal components related to PEG and water were assessed in the hydrated matrices by MRI relaxometry (parametric T2/A images). The PEG component faded out due to outward PEG diffusion and was gradually replaced by the water component. Both components spatially and temporally changed their parameters, reflecting evolving water-polymer interactions. The study shows that dynamic phenomena related to bidirectional mass transport can be quantified in situ using NMR and MRI techniques to gain insight into drug release mechanisms from 3D printed DDS systems.

Innovative Pharmaceutical Techniques for Paediatric Dosage Forms: A Systematic Review on 3D Printing, Prilling/Vibration and Microfluidic Platform

The production of paediatric pharmaceutical forms represents a unique challenge within the pharmaceutical industry. The primary goal of these formulations is to ensure therapeutic efficacy, safety, and tolerability in paediatric patients, who have specific physiological needs and characteristics. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in attention towards this area, driven by the need to improve drug administration to children and ensure optimal and specific treatments. Technological innovation has played a crucial role in meeting these requirements, opening new frontiers in the design and production of paediatric pharmaceutical forms. In particular, three emerging technologies have garnered considerable interest and attention within the scientific and industrial community: 3D printing, prilling/vibration, and microfluidics. These technologies offer advanced approaches for the design, production, and customization of paediatric pharmaceutical forms, allowing for more precise dosage modulation, improved solubility, and greater drug acceptability. In this review, we delve into these cutting-edge technologies and their impact on the production of paediatric pharmaceutical forms. We analyse their potential, associated challenges, and recent developments, providing a comprehensive overview of the opportunities that these innovative methodologies offer to the pharmaceutical sector. We examine different pharmaceutical forms generated using these techniques, evaluating their advantages and disadvantages.

Geometry-Driven Fabrication of Mini-Tablets via 3D Printing: Correlating Release Kinetics with Polyhedral Shapes

The aim of this study was to fabricate mini-tablets of polyhedrons containing theophylline using a fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printer, and to evaluate the correlation between release kinetics models and their geometric shapes. The filaments containing theophylline, hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), and EUDRAGIT RS PO (EU) could be obtained with a consistent thickness through pre-drying before hot melt extrusion (HME). Mini-tablets of polyhedrons ranging from tetrahedron to icosahedron were 3D-printed using the same formulation of the filament, ensuring equal volumes. The release kinetics models derived from dissolution tests of the polyhedrons, along with calculations for various physical parameters (edge, SA: surface area, SA/W: surface area/weight, SA/V: surface area/volume), revealed that the correlation between the Higuchi model and the SA/V was the highest (R2 = 0.995). It was confirmed that using 3D- printing for the development of personalized or pediatric drug products allows for the adjustment of drug dosage by modifying the size or shape of the drug while maintaining or controlling the same release profile.

The potential of three-dimensional printing for pediatric oral solid dosage forms

Pediatric patients often require individualized dosing of medicine due to their unique pharmacokinetic and developmental characteristics. Current methods for tailoring the dose of pediatric medications, such as tablet splitting or compounding liquid formulations, have limitations in terms of dosing accuracy and palatability. This paper explores the potential of 3D printing as a solution to address the challenges and provide tailored doses of medication for each pediatric patient. The technological overview of 3D printing is discussed, highlighting various 3D printing technologies and their suitability for pharmaceutical applications. Several individualization options with the potential to improve adherence are discussed, such as individualized dosage, custom release kinetics, tablet shape, and palatability. To integrate the preparation of 3D printed medication at the point of care, a decentralized manufacturing model is proposed. In this setup, pharmaceutical companies would routinely provide materials and instructions for 3D printing, while specialized compounding centers or hospital pharmacies perform the printing of medication. In addition, clinical opportunities of 3D printing for dose-finding trials are emphasized. On the other hand, current challenges in adequate dosing, regulatory compliance, adherence to quality standards, and maintenance of intellectual property need to be addressed for 3D printing to close the gap in personalized oral medication.

Trend of pharmaceuticals 3D printing in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region: An overview, regulatory perspective and future outlook

The traditional method of producing medicine using the "one-size fits all" model is becoming a major issue for pharmaceutical manufacturers due to its inability to produce customizable medicines for individuals' needs. Three-dimensional (3D) printing is a new disruptive technology that offers many benefits to the pharmaceutical industry by revolutionizing the way pharmaceuticals are developed and manufactured. 3D printing technology enables the on-demand production of personalized medicine with tailored dosage, shape and release characteristics. Despite the lack of clear regulatory guidance, there is substantial interest in adopting 3D printing technology in the large-scale manufacturing of medicine. This review aims to evaluate the research efforts of 3D printing technology in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with a particular emphasis on pharmaceutical research and development. Our analysis indicates an upsurge in the overall research activity of 3D printing technology but there is limited progress in pharmaceuticals research and development. While the MENA region still lags, there is evidence of the regional interest in expanding the 3D printing technology applications in different sectors including pharmaceuticals. 3D printing holds great promise for pharmaceutical development within the MENA region and its advancement will require a strong collaboration between academic researchers and industry partners in parallel with drafting detailed guidelines from regulatory authorities.

Automated Non-Sterile Pharmacy Compounding: A Multi-Site Study in European Hospital and Community Pharmacies with Pediatric Immediate Release Propranolol Hydrochloride Tablets

Pharmacy compounding, the art and science of preparing customized medications to meet individual patient needs, is on the verge of transformation. Traditional methods of compounding often involve manual and time-consuming processes, presenting challenges in terms of consistency, dosage accuracy, quality control, contamination, and scalability. However, the emergence of cutting-edge technologies has paved a way for a new era for pharmacy compounding, promising to redefine the way medications are prepared and delivered as pharmacy-tailored personalized medicines. In this multi-site study, more than 30 hospitals and community pharmacies from eight countries in Europe utilized a novel automated dosing approach inspired by 3D printing for the compounding of non-sterile propranolol hydrochloride tablets. CuraBlend® excipient base, a GMP-manufactured excipient base (pharma-ink) intended for automated compounding applications, was used. A standardized study protocol to test the automated dosing of tablets with variable weights was performed in all participating pharmacies in four different iterative phases. Integrated quality control was performed with an in-process scale and NIR spectroscopy supported by HPLC content uniformity measurements. In total, 6088 propranolol tablets were produced at different locations during this study. It was shown that the dosing accuracy of the process increased from about 90% to 100% from Phase 1 to Phase 4 by making improvements to the formulation and the hardware solutions. The results indicate that through this automated and quality controlled compounding approach, extemporaneous pharmacy manufacturing can take a giant leap forward towards automation and digital manufacture of dosage forms in hospital pharmacies and compounding pharmacies.

Medical, pharmaceutical, and nutritional applications of 3D-printing technology in diabetes

AIMS

Despite numerous studies covering the various features of three-dimensional printing (3D printing) technology, and its applications in food science and disease treatment, no study has yet been conducted to investigate applying 3D printing in diabetes. Therefore, the present study centers on the utilization and impact of 3D printing technology in relation to the nutritional, pharmaceutical, and medicinal facets of diabetes management. It highlights the latest advancements, and challenges in this field.

METHODS

In this review, the articles focusing on the application and effect of 3D printing technology on medical, pharmaceutical, and nutritional aspects of diabetes management were collected from different databases.

RESULT

High precision of 3D printing in the placement of cells led to accurate anatomic control, and the possibility of bio-printing pancreas and β-cells. Transdermal drug delivery via 3D-printed microneedle (MN) patches was beneficial for the management of diabetes disease. 3D printing supported personalized medicine for Diabetes Mellitus (DM). For instance, it made it possible for pharmaceutical companies to manufacture unique doses of medications for every diabetic patient. Moreover, 3D printing allowed the food industry to produce high-fiber and sugar-free products for the individuals with DM.

CONCLUSIONS

In summary, applying 3D printing technology for diabetes management is in its early stages, and needs to be matured and developed to be safely used for humans. However, its rapid progress in recent years showed a bright future for the treatment of diabetes.

Pediatric Formulations Developed by Extrusion-Based 3D Printing: From Past Discoveries to Future Prospects

Three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology in pharmaceutical areas is leading to a significant change in controlled drug delivery and pharmaceutical product development. Pharmaceutical industries and academics are becoming increasingly interested in this innovative technology due to its inherent inexpensiveness and rapid prototyping. The 3DP process could be established in the pharmaceutical industry to replace conventional large-scale manufacturing processes, particularly useful for personalizing pediatric drugs. For instance, shape, size, dosage, drug release and multi-drug combinations can be tailored according to the patient's needs. Pediatric drug development has a significant global impact due to the growing needs for accessible age-appropriate pediatric medicines and for acceptable drug products to ensure adherence to the prescribed treatment. Three-dimensional printing offers several significant advantages for clinical pharmaceutical drug development, such as the ability to personalize medicines, speed up drug manufacturing timelines and provide on-demand drugs in hospitals and pharmacies. The aim of this article is to highlight the benefits of extrusion-based 3D printing technology. The future potential of 3DP in pharmaceuticals has been widely shown in the last few years. This article summarizes the discoveries about pediatric pharmaceutical formulations which have been developed with extrusion-based technologies.

HPMC/PVP K90 Dissolving Microneedles Fabricated from 3D-Printed Master Molds: Impact on Microneedle Morphology, Mechanical Strength, and Topical Dissolving Property

Three-dimensional (3D) printing can be used to fabricate custom microneedle (MN) patches instead of the conventional method. In this work, 3D-printed MN patches were utilized to fabricate a MN mold, and the mold was used to prepare dissolving MNs for topical lidocaine HCl (L) delivery through the skin. Topical creams usually take 1-2 h to induce an anesthetic effect, so the delivery of lidocaine HCl from dissolving MNs can allow for a therapeutic effect to be reached faster than with a topical cream. The dissolving-MN-patch-incorporated lidocaine HCl was constructed from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC; H) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP K90; P) using centrifugation. Additionally, the morphology, mechanical property, skin insertion, dissolving behavior, drug-loading content, drug release of MNs and the chemical interactions among the compositions were also examined. H51P2-L, H501P2-L, and H901P2-L showed an acceptable needle appearance without bent tips or a broken structure, and they had a low % height change (<10%), including a high blue-dot percentage on the skin (>80%). These three formulations exhibited a drug-loading content approaching 100%. Importantly, the composition-dependent dissolving abilities of MNs were revealed. Containing the lowest amount of HPMC in its formulation, H901P2-L showed the fastest dissolving ability, which was related to the high amount of lidocaine HCl released through the skin. Moreover, the results of an FTIR analysis showed no chemical interactions among the two polymers and lidocaine HCl. As a result, HPMC/PVP K90 dissolving microneedles can be used to deliver lidocaine HCl through the skin, resulting in a faster onset of anesthetic action.

4D Printing: The Development of Responsive Materials Using 3D-Printing Technology

Additive manufacturing, widely known as 3D printing, has revolutionized the production of biomaterials. While conventional 3D-printed structures are perceived as static, 4D printing introduces the ability to fabricate materials capable of self-transforming their configuration or function over time in response to external stimuli such as temperature, light, or electric field. This transformative technology has garnered significant attention in the field of biomedical engineering due to its potential to address limitations associated with traditional therapies. Here, we delve into an in-depth review of 4D-printing systems, exploring their diverse biomedical applications and meticulously evaluating their advantages and disadvantages. We emphasize the novelty of this review paper by highlighting the latest advancements and emerging trends in 4D-printing technology, particularly in the context of biomedical applications.

Extrusion-based technologies for 3D printing: a comparative study of the processability of thermoplastic polyurethane-based formulations

Thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) offer excellent properties for a wide range of dosage forms. These polymers have been successfully utilized in personalized medicine production using fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing (3DP). However, direct powder extrusion (DPE) has been introduced recently as a challenging technique since it eliminates filament production before 3DP, reducing thermal stress, production time, and costs. This study compares DPE and single-screw extrusion for binary (drug-TPU) and ternary (drug-TPU-magnesium stearate [MS]) mixtures containing from 20 to 60% w/w of theophylline. Powder flow, mechanical properties, fractal analysis, and percolation theory were utilized to analyze critical properties of the extrudates. All the mixtures could be processed at a temperature range between 130 and 160 °C. Extrudates containing up to 50% w/w of drug (up to 30% w/w of drug in the case of single-screw extrusion binary filaments) showed toughness values above the critical threshold of 80 kg/mm2. MS improved flow in mixtures where the drug is the only percolating component, reduced until 25 °C the DPE temperature and decreased the extrudate roughness in high drug content systems. The potential of DPE as an efficient one-step additive manufacturing technique in healthcare environments to produce TPU-based tailored on-demand medicines has been demonstrated.

Development of a Bilayer Tablet by Fused Deposition Modeling as a Sustained-Release Drug Delivery System

Three-dimensional printing by fused deposition modeling (FDM) coupled with hot-melt extrusion (HME) is a point of convergence of research efforts directed toward the development of personalized dosage forms. In addition to the customization in terms of shapes, sizes, or delivered drug doses, the modulation of drug release profiles is crucial to ensure the superior efficacy and safety of modern 3D-printed medications compared to those of conventional ones. Our work aims to solidify the groundwork for the preparation of 3D-printed tablets that ensure the sustained release of diclofenac sodium. Specifically, we achieved the fast release of a diclofenac sodium dose to allow for the prompt onset of its pharmacological effect, further sustaining by the slow release of another dose to maintain the effect over a prolonged timeframe. In this regard, proper formulation and design strategies (a honeycomb structure for the immediate-release layer and a completely filled structure for the sustained-release layer) were applied. Secondarily, the potential of polyvinyl alcohol to function as a multifaceted polymeric matrix for both the immediate and slow-release layers was explored, with the objective of promoting the real-life applicability of the technique by downsizing the number of materials required to obtain versatile pharmaceutical products. The present study is a step forward in the translation of HME-FDM-3DP into a pharmaceutical manufacturing methodology.

The Progress in Bioprinting and Its Potential Impact on Health-Related Quality of Life

The intensive development of technologies related to human health in recent years has caused a real revolution. The transition from conventional medicine to personalized medicine, largely driven by bioprinting, is expected to have a significant positive impact on a patient's quality of life. This article aims to conduct a systematic review of bioprinting's potential impact on health-related quality of life. A literature search was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was undertaken using the PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect databases between 2019 and 2023. We have identified some of the most significant potential benefits of bioprinting to improve the patient's quality of life: personalized part production; saving millions of lives; reducing rejection risks after transplantation; accelerating the process of skin tissue regeneration; homocellular tissue model generation; precise fabrication process with accurate specifications; and eliminating the need for organs donor, and thus reducing patient waiting time. In addition, these advances in bioprinting have the potential to greatly benefit cancer treatment and other research, offering medical solutions tailored to each individual patient that could increase the patient's chance of survival and significantly improve their overall well-being. Although some of these advancements are still in the research stage, the encouraging results from scientific studies suggest that they are on the verge of being integrated into personalized patient treatment. The progress in bioprinting has the power to revolutionize medicine and healthcare, promising to have a profound impact on improving the quality of life and potentially transforming the field of medicine and healthcare.

Droplet-Based Microfluidics: Applications in Pharmaceuticals

Droplet-based microfluidics offer great opportunities for applications in various fields, such as diagnostics, food sciences, and drug discovery. A droplet provides an isolated environment for performing a single reaction within a microscale-volume sample, allowing for a fast reaction with a high sensitivity, high throughput, and low risk of cross-contamination. Owing to several remarkable features, droplet-based microfluidic techniques have been intensively studied. In this review, we discuss the impact of droplet microfluidics, particularly focusing on drug screening and development. In addition, we surveyed various methods of device fabrication and droplet generation/manipulation. We further highlight some promising studies covering drug synthesis and delivery that were updated within the last 5 years. This review provides researchers with a quick guide that includes the most up-to-date and relevant information on the latest scientific findings on the development of droplet-based microfluidics in the pharmaceutical field.

Preliminary Study on the Development of Caffeine Oral Solid Form 3D Printed by Semi-Solid Extrusion for Application in Neonates

Apnea of prematurity can be treated with a body-weight-adjusted dosage of caffeine. Semi-solid extrusion (SSE) 3D printing represents an interesting approach to finely tailor personalized doses of active ingredients. To improve compliance and ensure the right dose in infants, drug delivery systems such as oral solid forms (orodispersible film, dispersive form, and mucoadhesive form) can be considered. The aim of this work was to obtain a flexible-dose system of caffeine by SSE 3D printing by testing different excipients and printing parameters. Gelling agents (sodium alginate (SA) and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC)) were used to obtain a drug-loaded hydrogel matrix. Disintegrants (sodium croscarmellose (SC) and crospovidone (CP)) were tested for get rapid release of caffeine. The 3D models were patterned by computer-aided design with variable thickness, diameter, infill densities, and infill patterns. The oral forms produced from the formulation containing 35% caffeine, 8.2% SA, 4.8% HPMC, and 52% SC (w/w) were found to have good printability, achieving doses approaching to those used in neonatology (between 3 and 10 mg of caffeine for infants weighing approximately between 1 and 4 kg). However, disintegrants, especially SC, acted more as binder/filler, showing interesting properties to maintain the shape after extrusion and enhance printability without a significant effect on caffeine release.

3D Printable Drug Delivery Systems: Next-generation Healthcare Technology and Regulatory Aspects

A revolutionary shift in healthcare has been sparked by the development of 3D printing, propelling us into an era replete with boundless opportunities for personalized DDS (Drug Delivery Systems). Precise control of the kinetics of drug release can be achieved through 3D printing, improving treatment efficacy and patient compliance. Additionally, 3D printing facilitates the co-administration of multiple drugs, simplifying treatment regimens. The technology offers rapid prototyping and manufacturing capabilities, reducing development timelines and costs. The seamless integration of advanced algorithms and artificial neural networks (ANN) augments the precision and efficacy of 3D printing, propelling us toward the forefront of personalized medicine. This comprehensive review delves into the regulatory frontiers governing 3D printable drug delivery systems, with an emphasis on adhering to rigorous safety protocols to ensure the well-being of patients by leveraging the latest advancements in 3D printing technologies powered by artificial intelligence. The paradigm promises superior therapeutic outcomes and optimized medication experiences and sets the stage for an immersive future within the Metaverse, wherein healthcare seamlessly converges with virtual environments to unlock unparalleled possibilities for personalized treatments.

Fabrication of 3D-Printed Contact Lens Composed of Polyethylene Glycol Diacrylate for Controlled Release of Azithromycin

Since three-dimensional (3D)-printed tablets were approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 3D printing technology has garnered increasing interest for the fabrication of medical and pharmaceutical devices. With various dosing devices being designed for manufacture by 3D printing, 3D-printed ophthalmic formulations to release drugs have been one such target of investigation. In the current study, 3D-printed contact lenses designed for the controlled release of the antibiotic azithromycin were produced by vat photopolymerization, and the effect of the printer ink composition and a second curing process was investigated. The azithromycin-loaded contact lenses were composed of the cross-linking reagent polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA), PEG 400 as a solvent, a photoinitiator, and azithromycin. The 3D-printed contact lenses were fabricated successfully, and formulations with lower PEGDA concentrations produced thicker lenses. The mechanical strength of the PEGDA-based contact lenses was dependent on the amount of PEGDA and was improved by a second curing process. Drug release from 3D-printed contact lenses was reduced in the samples with a second curing process. The azithromycin-loaded contact lenses exhibited antimicrobial effects in vitro for both Gram-positive and -negative bacteria. These results suggest that 3D-printed contact lenses containing antibiotics are an effective model for treating eye infections by controlling drug release.