Advanced drug-delivery systems

Abstract

[Extract] Over the past decade, despite the importance of the biotechnology industry and increasing expenditure in research and development, there have been only a limited number of drugs originating from large pharmaceutical companies. The pharmaceutical industry has turned its attention to advanced drug-delivery systems such as pulmonary, transdermal, rectal and vaginal, proteins and gene, nasal, buccal and opthalmic, parenteral, total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and aerosol delivery, and these are the focus of this test. The philosophy behind these delivery systems is to increase therapeutic effects while decreasing toxicity by increasing the drug in the vicinity of the target cells and reducing drug exposure to non-target cells. The benefits of this approach include patient adherence and acceptance of their medications, improved outcomes and a reduction in adverse effects. The medications are such that they may be given to outpatients, resulting in a reduction in the overall use of medical resources