Overview of the clinical current needs and potential applications for long-acting and implantable delivery systems

Abstract Over the last couple of decades, the popularity of long-acting drug delivery systems (LADDSs) has increased significantly. This type of drug delivery system presents several advantages over conventional routes such as oral route. LADDSs can be injected/implanted into the body of the patient for providing prolonged unattended drug release. This type of system is an ideal candidate for the treatment of chronic conditions that require constant drug uptake. Moreover, this type of device can be used for the local delivery of drugs. This chapter provides an overview of the current clinical needs and applications of LADDS. Moreover, the potential future applications of this type of technology are discussed.