Transdermal Drug Delivery - Problems and Promises

Abstract The advantages of delivering drugs across the skin for systemic therapy are well documented (1-6), and transdermal drug delivery, on its own merits, has now become one of the fastest growing areas in drug development. The limitations and constraints of this mode of drug therapy have to be understood, however. This present article addresses such limitations and discusses the controversies surrounding these therapeutic systems. This is attempted with the hope that a good understanding and a rational approach to developing these systems will aid in early resolution of the problem(s). Under pressure from their marketing departments, pharmaceutical companies are moving hastily to produce transdermal devices. Only with well-planned development programs that take a careful and cautious approach, transdermal technology is expected to make a significant impact on the quality of patient care.