Breaking the skin barrier: Newer developments in transdermal drug delivery

Optimum therapeutic outcomes require not only proper drug selection but also effective drug delivery. The human skin is a readily accessible surface for drug delivery. Transdermal drug delivery - the delivery of drugs across the skin and into systemic circulation - is distinct from topical drug penetration, which targets local areas. Several new active transport technologies have been developed for the transdermal delivery. For example, microporation, medicated tattoos, needleless jet injectors, electrophoresis and phonophoresis are all being used to facilitate delivery of drugs across the epidermal barrier. However, only a few of these technologies are now commercially available. Various new technologies like microneedles in transdermal drug delivery also play a significant impact in the progress of this dermal technology.