First 3D-printed pharmaceutical approved in the US

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has just announced that it has approved the first drug produced using 3D printing technology for the treatment of epilepsy.

Ohio-based pharmaceutical company Aprecia says its printing system allows for the production of pills with strengths up to 1,000 mg per pill.

The drug Spritam is a pill used to treat seizures in epileptic patients.

The drug called Spritam is a pill used to treat seizures in epileptic patients. (Source: forbes)

Through the 3D printing process, the pills are created in a porous form that can easily dissolve in a small amount of liquid, making medication use more convenient for children as well as people with swallowing difficulties.

Spritam is the first drug approved by the agency using 3D printing technology, FDA spokesperson Sandy Walsh told reporters. Spritam, also known as Levetiracetam, has been on the market for many years in various forms.

Previously, the FDA also "green-lighted" a number of other medical products manufactured using 3D printing, such as artificial replacement parts in the human body.

Aprecia plans to begin distributing the drug in the first quarter of next year. The company also said it will continue to use this advanced technology to develop other pharmaceuticals in the future.

3D printing technology was invented in the 80s of the last century, using lasers to create metal or plastic objects according to digital designs. The advantage of this technology is rapid prototyping and customization of equipment at low cost.

In recent years, technology has advanced so much that companies have been able to use it to shape complex objects from metals, such as titanium or aluminum.

The medical industry is now promoting the application of this advanced technology to create complex implants for patients with rare diseases or special injuries.

According to khoahoc.tv