Ndidi Ngwuluka
University of Jos, Nigeria
Title: Under-utilized natural polymers: Contributory solutions to unmet pharmaceutical needs?
Biography
Biography: Ndidi Ngwuluka
Abstract
The pursuit to improve healthcare thereby enhancing benefits for patients and reducing the burden on healthcare workers and the system appears a passionate one amongst researchers and the pharmaceutical and related industries. The quest is to improve efficacy of existing drugs, reduce frequency of dosing (controlled release), minimize adverse effects, improve adherence, reduce risk to health workers and their involvement as well as reduce impact on the environment. Most of these challenges can be tackled by drug delivery technologies and excipients play a critical role in accomplishing these and formulation innovations. While synthetic and natural polymers are utilized, natural polymers are fundamental in assuring effectiveness, safety and delivery of benefits with minimal risk to patients and health workers. With regards to minimal health and regulatory risk, and little or no impact to the environment, polymers from nature and especially from edible plants should be of focus. Studies have shown that the under-utilized natural polymers may be contributory solutions to help solve unmet needs. Of a growing concern are pediatric formulations of which safety is a special consideration and there is the urge for new excipients. These under-utilized polymers, the studies so far undertaken, the challenges and their regulatory requirements will be discussed.