Drug Delivery Systems Improve Pharmaceutical Profile and Facilitate Medication Adherence
Authors: Wertheimer, A; Santella, T; Finestone, A; Levy, RA.
This paper delves into the issues surrounding drug delivery, and how modern medicine has continually improved how we deliver medicines to patients. The authors discuss how innovations in dosage forms and dose delivery systems across a wide range of medications offer substantial clinical advantages, including reduced dosing frequency and improved patient adherence; minimized fluctuation of drug concentrations and maintenance of blood levels within a desired range; localized drug delivery; and the potential for reduced adverse effects and increased safety. The advent of new large-molecule drugs for previously untreatable or only partially treatable diseases is stimulating the development of suitable delivery systems for these agents. Although advanced formulations may be more expensive than conventional dosage forms, they often have a more favorable pharmacologic profile and can be cost-effective. Inclusion of these dosage forms on drug formulary lists may help patients remain on therapy and reduce the economic and social burden of care. The authors discuss how improved delivery mechanisms have been applied in specific clinical areas, including pain management, coronary heart disease, high cholesterol, ADHD, asthma, HIV/AIDS, osteoporosis, and other clinical areas. The authors also discuss the cost-savings that can be a by-product of more innovative delivery mechanisms, and conclude that the advantages of delivery innovation must be considered when developing reimbursement policy.
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