Abstract
Data-enriched edible pharmaceuticals (DEEP) is an approach to obtain personalized medicine, in terms of flexible and precise drug doses, while at the same time containing data, embedded in quick response (QR) codes at a single dosage unit level. The aim of this study was to fabricate DEEP with a patient-tailored dose, modify drug release and design to meet patients’ preferences. It also aimed to investigate physical stability in terms of the readability of QR code patterns of DEEP during storage. Cannabinoids, namely, cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), were used as the model active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Three different substrates and two colorants for the ink were tested for their suitability to fabricate DEEP by desktop inkjet printing. Flexible doses and customizable designs of DEEP were obtained by manipulating the digital design of the QR code, particularly, by exploring different pattern types, embedded images and the physical size of the QR code pattern. Modification of the release of both APIs from DEEP was achieved by applying a hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) polymer coating. The appearance and readability of uncoated and polymer-coated DEEP did not change on storage in cold and dry conditions; however, the HPC polymer layer was insufficient in preserving the readability of the QR code pattern in the extreme storage condition (40 °C and 75% relative humidity). To sum up, the DEEP concept provides opportunities for the personalization of medicines, considering also patients’ preferences.
Highlights
The majority of drug products available on the market can be classified as “one-size-fits-all”
The preparation of Data-enriched edible pharmaceuticals (DEEP) by inkjet printing requires an ink in the printable range in regards to optimal viscosity, surface tension and solubility of the solid ingredients (i.e., active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), colorants) in the ink [24]
The printed pattern on the substrate should have minimal ink bleeding and/or dye migration to ensure good print edge definition. This is of great importance when dosage forms, such as DEEP, are printed in the pattern of a quick response (QR) code to ensure its readability by a standard smartphone
Summary
The majority of drug products available on the market can be classified as “one-size-fits-all”. This implies that most drug products are commercialized in a limited number of fixed doses to fit the largest portion of the target population without considering the individual’s specific needs [1]. 80% of patients are drug-responsive to COX-II inhibitors, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), whereas only 25% of cancer patients respond to chemotherapy [2] Several factors, such as physiology, psychology, pharmacology, lifestyle and genetics of the patient, may influence the drug response [2,3,4]
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