Drug delivery system

A drug delivery system refers to any method, device, or technology used to transport pharmaceutical compounds into the body for therapeutic purposes. Drug delivery systems are not single molecules or receptors but are engineered systems or formulations (such as nanoparticles, microneedles, liposomes, implants, patches, and oral or injectable preparations) designed to optimize the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of drugs. Key functions include controlled release, targeted delivery to specific tissues or cells, protection of drugs from degradation, enhancement of bioavailability, and enabling precise dosing. Drug delivery systems broadly facilitate the administration of drugs rather than serving as direct therapeutic targets; they do not possess typical biological or molecular target attributes and cannot be directly targeted by drugs themselves. The field covers multiple technologies and innovations, continuously evolving to improve patient outcomes, minimize adverse effects, and enable treatment of previously inaccessible conditions[1][4][7][10].

Other names

Drug delivery technologyDDSDrug carrier system