Dr. Mansoor Khan demonstrates recently 3D-printed pills. Image credit: Texas A&M University.
Layered 3D Printing Enables Precise Dosing for Pediatric Medications
Children often lack access to appropriately dosed medications, forcing pharmacists to compound smaller doses from adult tablets—a process that may compromise drug quality. Khan noted, "The current approach to pediatric medication is highly inefficient. While liquid doses can be scaled down more easily, not all drugs are available in liquid form, and formulating liquids is challenging. Converting solid medications into liquids without affecting quality is even more difficult."
Khan and his team utilize a layered 3D printing technique to produce tablets with flexible dosing, customizable shapes, and tailored flavors to improve acceptability among children. He explained, "3D printing allows us to create adaptable drug formulations, enabling on-demand production of flexible-dose medications for pediatric patients. This innovation simplifies the delivery of precise, individualized dosing for children." The method also enables hospitals to supply antiviral drugs and other treatments in child-optimized formulations.
Additionally, researchers from the MERLN Institute, University of Santiago de Compostela, University College London (UCL), and UCL spin-off FabRx have developed a method to 3D print tablets within just 7 seconds. Unlike traditional layer-by-layer photopolymerization, the team employed volumetric 3D printing technology, which can cure an entire vat of resin at once, significantly accelerating the production of customized medications.
Furthermore, a team from the Max Planck Institute for Informatics in Saarbrücken, Germany, and the University of California, Davis has created 3D-printed pills capable of controlled drug release rates. The team demonstrated how manipulating the pill’s shape can regulate its dissolution speed inside the body, offering new possibilities for drug delivery.
3D printed pills. Image credit: Texas A&M University. 
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