Chapter 6 - Applications of nanotechnology in pharmaceutical products

Abstract

Nanotechnology has become one of the most important scientific advances in the 20th century. It offers a wide range of applications in engineering, computing, biotechnology, and even the pharmaceutical industry. The size, morphology, and dimension of nanoparticles along with their exclusive properties, developed via nanotechnological advancements, have gained much attention in pharmaceutical applications. Several nanoparticles have been reported to be beneficial as stand-alone nanomedicines, and some are nanoformulated to enhance their curative properties or as drug carriers to improve delivery efficiency. Nanoparticles are utilized in drug delivery, gene therapy, medical diagnosis, drug discovery, stent formation, and biosensor technology. This chapter focuses on the comparison between traditional and nanodrug delivery then proceeds to classify the different nanopharmaceutical products. In addition, the various applications of nanotechnology in pharmaceutical industries are extensively discussed. The challenges that are encountered in the implementation of nanopharmaceutical applications are also discussed.