Recent developments in topical and transdermal delivery.

Over the past decade there has been considerable interest shown in an understanding of the mechanisms of skin penetration and its enhancement. Sophisticated biophysical techniques have been used to probe, at a molecular level, the ways in which chemical and physical enhancement can be achieved. Two types of chemical penetration enhancers can be identified and their co-administration can result in synergistic effects. Another attractive method for enhancing skin penetration is the use of supersaturation but problems associated with stability must be addressed. Biotech drugs are inherently difficult to administer and recent progress using iontophoresis and sonophoresis has identified that medicines of this type can be delivered percutaneously. It is also possible to use the percutaneous route to monitor plasma levels non-invasively. Coupling non invasive monitoring with controlled delivery allows the possibility of creating transdermal systems which act with bio feedback.