Algahtani Mohammed S
Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Najran University, Najran 1988, Saudi Arabia.
Pharmacy (Basel). 2021 Mar 23;9(1):68. doi: 10.3390/pharmacy9010068.
The main user of three dimensional (3D) printing for drug dispensing will be the hospital pharmacist. Yet despite the tremendous amount of research and industrial initiatives, there is no evaluation of the pharmacist's knowledge and opinion of this technology. The present study aimed to assess knowledge and attitude among pharmacists about 3D printing technology as an innovative dispensing method for personalized medicine and the barriers to implementation in Saudi Arabia. We found that 53% of participants were aware of 3D printing technology in general, but only 14-16% of pharmacists were aware of the specific application of 3D printing in drug dispensing. Participants showed a positive perception regarding the concept of personalized medicine and that 3D printing could provide a promising solution to formulate and dispense personalized medicine in the pharmacy. It was also found that 67% of pharmacists were encouraged to adopt this new technology for drug dispensing, reflecting their willingness to learn new innovations. However, the technology cost, regulation, and the shortage of practicing pharmacists were also reported as the top barriers for implementation. Facilitating the implementation of this technology in the pharmacy practice will require a strategic plan in which pharmacists collaborate with regulatory bodies and 3D printing engineers to overcome challenges and barriers to implement such promising technology.
用于药品调配的三维（3D）打印的主要用户将是医院药剂师。然而，尽管有大量的研究和产业举措，但对于药剂师对这项技术的了解和看法却没有进行评估。本研究旨在评估沙特阿拉伯药剂师对作为个性化药物创新调配方法的3D打印技术的了解和态度，以及实施过程中的障碍。我们发现，53%的参与者总体上了解3D打印技术，但只有14%-16%的药剂师了解3D打印在药品调配中的具体应用。参与者对个性化药物的概念持积极看法，并且认为3D打印可以为在药房中配制和分发个性化药物提供一个有前景的解决方案。还发现，67%的药剂师受到鼓励采用这项新技术进行药品调配，这反映了他们学习新创新的意愿。然而，技术成本、监管以及执业药剂师短缺也被报告为实施的首要障碍。要在药房实践中推动这项技术的实施，需要一个战略计划，让药剂师与监管机构和3D打印工程师合作，以克服实施这项有前景的技术所面临的挑战和障碍。
