FDA Approves First 3D Printed Drug

Daniel 12:4 NLT “But you, Daniel, keep this prophecy a secret; seal up the book until the time of the end, when many will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first drug that is created using a 3D printer.

The drug, Spritam, is designed for the treatment of epilepsy according to a statement from the manufacturer Aprecia Pharmaceuticals.

The printed pills were created by what the company calls “ZipDose.”  The printer creates a pre-measured dose that dissolves in the mouth when you consume a liquid.  Tests showed the pill dissolves significantly faster than “fast melt” drugs because the pill is powdered medication bound together by the printer.

“As a result, Spritam enhances the patient experience — administration of even the largest strengths of levetiracetam with just a sip of liquid,” Aprecia said in a statement on Monday. “In addition, with Spritam there is no measuring required as each dose is individually packaged, making it easy to carry this treatment on the go.”

Scientists are hailing the decision by the FDA, saying that the use of 3D printing technology could revolutionize the way medication is given to patients.

The technology could allow doctors to put all of a patient’s medication into a single pill with precise monitoring of the dosages of each medication.  If the doctor needs to make a change, they just change the amount in the printing program for that patient.

Spirtam is the first 3D printed drug approved by the FDA.

Leave a Reply