Current status and future prospects of drug delivery systems.

This is an overview of the current drug delivery systems (DDS) starting with various routes of drug administration. Various drug formulations are then described as well as devices used for drug delivery and targeted drug delivery. There has been a considerable increase in the number of new biotechnology-based therapeutics. Most of these are proteins and peptides, and their delivery presents special challenges. Cell and gene therapies are sophisticated methods of delivery of therapeutics. Nanoparticles are considered to be important in refining drug delivery; they can be pharmaceuticals as well as diagnostics. Refinements in drug delivery will facilitate the development of personalized medicine in which targeted drug delivery will play an important role. There is discussion about the ideal DDS, commercial aspects, challenges, and future prospects.