Before we comprehend the idea of a Novel Drug Delivery System (NDDS), or before we gain some insight into what made researchers develop such a new, advanced and innovative drug delivery system i.e, NDDS, let us first understand the concept of “Drug delivery”. What is drug delivery? In simple terms, it can be understood as a method or a process of administering or delivering a pharmaceutical compound in systemic circulation to achieve its therapeutic effect in humans or in animals.
It is the traditional framework that integrates the classical methods for the delivery of drugs into the body. The state-of-the-art methodologies of drug delivery include the preferred non-invasive peroral routes (through the mouth), the topical route (through the skin), the transmucosal route (through nasal, ocular, vag*inal, sublingual, rectal) and inhalation routes.
Limitations of Conventional Dosage Forms
- Conventional/Traditional Drug Delivery System
- Novel Drug Delivery System
It is the traditional framework that integrates the classical methods for the delivery of drugs into the body. The state-of-the-art methodologies of drug delivery include the preferred non-invasive peroral routes (through the mouth), the topical route (through the skin), the transmucosal route (through nasal, ocular, vag*inal, sublingual, rectal) and inhalation routes.
Limitations of Conventional Dosage Forms
- Frequent administration of drug is necessary.
- Administration of a particular dose of the conventional dosage form at a particular frequency.
- An increased probability of missing the drug dose with a reduced half-life can degrade patient compliance.
- Peak valley plasma concentration-time profile makes it difficult to attain the steady-state condition.
Need for Novel Drug Delivery System
An immediate release of drug takes place through conventional dosage form and hence causes oscillation of plasma drug levels. Therefore, to maintain the concentration of drug within the therapeutical window we are in need of a novel drug delivery system in order to minimize undesired effects and maximize therapeutic benefits.
Many medications such as peptides, proteins, antibodies, vaccines, and gene-based drugs, in general, may not be taken by using conventional routes because they might be susceptible to enzymatic degradation, have poor bioavailability, poor penetration of the intestinal mucosa. Protein and peptide drugs can only be taken as injections. In order to alleviate the aforementioned shortcomings, a Novel Drug Delivery System has been introduced and developed.
What is a Novel Drug Delivery System?
Non-conventional – Non-traditional - means Newer = NOVEL It is another methodology or a new approach for drug delivery other than the conventional drug delivery system. A Novel Drug Delivery System (NDDS) can be defined as a new approach that combines innovative development, formulations, new technologies, novel methodologies for delivering pharmaceutical compounds in the body as needed to safely achieve its desired pharmacological effects. It may include scientific site-targeting within the body, improves drug potency, control drug release with prolonged pharmacological effect. It involves the development of novel, better and safer drugs with long half-life and large therapeutic indices.
Advantages of Novel Drug Delivery System (NDDS) over Conventional Drug Delivery System
- Controlled delivery by maintaining desired drug concentration and controlled rate
- Accurate dosing
- Enhanced efficacy and safety
- Site/Target-specific delivery of drug with an optimum dose
- Decreased toxicity/side effects
- Beneficial to patients with improved comfort and standard of living
Before drawing any conclusion, let us throw some light on the potential future prospects and applications of NDDS. The act for seeking research on NDDS has begun since long back, however, it has got into power since the most recent couple of years. The development of several types of NDDS in the last few decades includes (Microparticles, Nanoparticles, Liposomes, Niosomes, Transdermal drug delivery, Microencapsulation) with the motive of delivering drugs to targeted tissue to cure certain diseases. The recent developments in the domain of NDDS opened up numerous research exposures in Nanotechnology and its derivative areas. It is noteworthy that one of the most emerging applications of NDDS is a successful treatment of Cancer (Chemotherapeutic agents, immunotherapeutic agents) in various forms by targeting the affected cells. Considering the depth and breadth of the ongoing research in NDDS, it is highly anticipated that the medical research community will be largely benefitted from this novel technology.
Anuj Pathak
Assistant Professor
KIET School of Pharmacy
Ghaziabad, India
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