Gummies: A Sweet Solution to Medication Adherence

Gummies present a novel and appealing alternative to traditional tablets and capsules. Their palatability and chewable nature make them particularly suitable for pediatric patients who may struggle with swallowing pills. Recent studies have reported the successful 3d printing of dual-drug loaded gummies that combine both Isoniazid and Pyridoxine, geared towards improving adherence in tuberculosis treatment (Holkunde et al., 2025).

Advantages of Gummy Formulations

1. Taste Masking
   The formulation allows for better taste masking, which is essential for medications with unpleasant flavors. This can significantly improve adherence, especially in children and elderly patients who are often sensitive to tastes and textures.

2. Customizable Dosing
   3D printed gummies can be tailored to provide precise dosages, addressing the specific needs of various patient demographics. This adaptability is particularly crucial for treating patients with chronic conditions requiring multiple medications (Holkunde et al., 2025).

3. Enhanced Bioavailability
   The formulation of gummies can enhance the bioavailability of drugs that are poorly soluble in water, allowing for more effective therapeutic outcomes (Holkunde et al., 2025).

Beyond Gummies: Other Innovative Dosage Forms

In addition to gummies, the scope of 3D printing in pharmaceuticals extends to other innovative dosage forms, including:

• Orodispersible Tablets: These tablets dissolve rapidly in the mouth, providing a convenient alternative to traditional oral dosage forms, especially for patients with swallowing difficulties.
• Personalized Polypills: Combining multiple medications into a single pill can simplify complex regimens, improving adherence and reducing the pill burden on patients.
• Implantable Devices: 3D printing can be utilized to create implantable drug delivery systems that release medications over extended periods, ensuring consistent therapeutic levels without the need for frequent dosing.

Future Prospects of 3D Printing in Drug Development

The future of 3D printing in pharmaceuticals is promising, with numerous opportunities for innovation and growth. As technology advances, several key areas are expected to shape the landscape of 3D printed medications.

1. Integration with AI
   The combination of AI with 3D printing can enhance drug formulation and design. Machine learning algorithms can analyze vast datasets to predict optimal material properties and release profiles, leading to the development of highly customized medications (Bernatoniene et al., 2025).

2. Sustainability Initiatives
   As the pharmaceutical industry faces increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices, 3D printing offers an opportunity to reduce waste and optimize manufacturing processes. On-demand printing can minimize overproduction and contribute to a circular economy (Bernatoniene et al., 2025).

3. Expanding Material Options
   Ongoing research and development are aimed at expanding the range of materials suitable for 3D printing in pharmaceuticals. Discovering new bioinks and excipients that enhance the properties of printed drugs will be critical for advancing this technology (Bernatoniene et al., 2025).

4. Regulatory Evolution
   As 3D printing becomes more widespread in the pharmaceutical sector, regulatory agencies are likely to adapt and develop new guidelines to address the unique challenges posed by this technology. Establishing clear frameworks for the approval and quality assurance of 3D printed medications will be essential for ensuring patient safety (Bernatoniene et al., 2025).

5. Patient-Centric Approaches
   The focus on personalized medicine will continue to drive innovation within 3D printing. By tailoring medications to individual patient needs, healthcare providers can enhance treatment efficacy and improve overall patient outcomes (Bernatoniene et al., 2025).

FAQ Section

What is 3D printing in pharmaceuticals?
3D printing in pharmaceuticals refers to the use of additive manufacturing technologies to create customized drug formulations, dosage forms, and delivery systems tailored to individual patient needs.

What are the advantages of 3D printed medications?
Advantages include customization for specific patient needs, improved adherence through palatable forms, on-demand production to reduce waste, and innovative drug designs that enhance efficacy.

What challenges does 3D printing face in pharmaceuticals?
Challenges include regulatory compliance, quality assurance, material limitations, technical complexities, and the need for acceptance among healthcare professionals.

Can 3D printing produce gummies?
Yes, 3D printing can successfully produce gummy formulations, which are particularly appealing for pediatric and geriatric patients due to their ease of consumption and customizable dosing.

What is the future of 3D printing in drug development?
The future of 3D printing in drug development includes advancements in AI integration, sustainability initiatives, expansion of material options, regulatory evolution, and a continued focus on patient-centric approaches.

References

1. Bernatoniene, J., Stabrauskiene, J., Kazlauskaite, J. A., Bernatonyte, U., Kopustinskiene, D. M., & Külkamp-Guerreiro, I. C. (2025). The Future of Medicine: How 3D Printing Is Transforming Pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceutics, 17(3), 390. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17030390

2. Holkunde, A., Karnik, I., Uttreja, P., Narala, N., Wang, H., Elkanayati, R. M., & Repka, M. A. (2025). Personalized Medicine Through Semisolid-Extrusion Based 3D Printing: Dual-Drug Loaded Gummies for Enhanced Patient Compliance. Pharmaceutical Research, 41(3), 381. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-024-03813-z

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5. Rastafarianism: When Religious Beliefs Conflict With Medical Necessity—A Case Report and Review of the Literature Around an Ethically Complicated Case. (2025). PubMed. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11936535/