How 3D Printing is Changing the World of Medicine

3D printing is also referred to as additive manufacturing and was originally created in the 1980s. It works by a computer forming layers of material to create an object. This sounds very basic; however, it has been developed into some amazing things.

The idea of 3D printing was brought to medicine in the 90s. It has been used to create parts used for surgery such as joints and orthopaedic implants. Medical engineers are currently developing a range of new medical uses for 3D printing including development of skin, organs and blood vessels.

As for drugs, the first printing of one occurred in 2016. It is a drug called Spritam and is used to treat epilepsy. It received an FDA approval and is currently available in the United States. It was created at a much higher quality and is easier to consume than other epilepsy medications. The success of this drug has encouraged further research and development of other 3D printed drugs.

What are the benefits of 3D printing drugs? Not only has it made consumption easier but it can also improve the customisation of drugs. It could be the beginning of personalised doses. 3D printing can allow pharmacists and doctors to take into account several factors of the patient such as their age, height and gender to optimise the medication prescription process.

This is a revolutionary technology and can increase the speed and efficiency of medicine in the future. There are so many different possibilities to what can be done in the world of medicine with 3D printing and we should see some amazing advancements in the next few decades.

Save & Deliver Liverpool
Save & Deliver Liverpool