Zee Media Bureau
Washington: In a world first, the US Food and Drug Administration has given approval for a 3D-printed pill to be produced and is expected to hit the markets in the first quarter of 2016.
The US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) approved the Spritam drug made by Aprecia Pharmaceuticals Company (Aprecia) as a treatment for seizures experienced by epilepsy sufferers. The company said that it planned to develop other medications using its 3D platform.
3D Printing is the technique wherein you can create an object by ‘printing’ it using a designated material and, by depositing layer on top of layer, create a 3D object.
In this case, the 3D printing process will allow layers of medication to be packaged more tightly in precise dosages. The 3-D printing process creates a pill that has "a porous formulation that rapidly disintegrates with a sip of liquid," the company said.
Well, this innovation could seriously signal an era of custom medication and provide endless possibilities for personalized medicine!