Drug patches grow beyond smoking cessation products
Further growth in transdermal drug delivery likely to be driven by the continued expansion of biotechnology drugs
The market for drugs delivered through the skin by the use of patches and other technologies is expected to reach US$8.1bn in 2012, according to Kalorama Information. The healthcare market research publisher said transdermally-delivered drug products are now being marketed successfully in areas other than the popular smoking cessation patches.
Further growth in transdermal drug delivery is likely to be driven by the continued expansion of biotechnology drugs that require novel delivery methods and by the loss of patent protection for many biopharmaceutical drugs, according to the report, The World Market for Transdermal Drug Delivery.
Transdermal and transmucosal drug delivery methods greatly enhance patient compliance, especially with the elderly
‘Transdermal and transmucosal drug delivery methods greatly enhance patient compliance, especially with the elderly, due to their ease of use,’ said Bruce Carlson, publisher of Kalorama Information. ‘These technologies are also popular with healthcare facilities as they help to reduce possibilities of contamination and infection.’
According to the report, the main benefits of transdermal drug delivery include continuous, controlled release, and absorption of medication into the body and the ability to avoid presystemic metabolism, which may occur following oral dosing, including both intestinal and hepatic first-pass metabolism. It can also offer more convenient dosing regimens, such as once or twice weekly dosing, and the ability to discontinue treatment quickly by removal of the patch.
