Microchip technology in drug delivery

The realization that the therapeutic efficacy of certain drugs can be affec ted dramatically by the way in which they are delivered has created immense interest in controlled drug delivery systems. Much previous work in drug d elivery focused on achieving sustained drug release rates over time, while a more recent trend is to make devices that allow the release rate to be va ried over time. Advances in microfabrication technology have made an entire ly new type of drug delivery device possible. Proof-of-principle experiment s have shown that silicon microchips have the ability to store and release multiple chemicals on demand. Future integration of active control electron ics, such as microprocessors, remote control units, or biosensors, could le ad to the development of a 'pharmacy on a chip,' ie 'smart' microchip impla nts or tablets that release drugs into the body automatically when needed.