Experts are of the opinion that the government and the pharmaceutical industry should encourage research and development (R&D) in the field of nanotechnology and microparticles as the technology holds immense potential in drug delivery and treating diseases.

Though the governments and the pharma companies in the developed countries are encouraging R&D works in the nanotechnology and microparticles areas, in India the government and the pharma companies are yet to give much attention to it, Prof R.K Khar, Department of Pharmaceutics Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard (Hamdard University, Delhi) said.

Targeting delivery of drugs to the diseased lesions was one of the most important aspects of drug delivery system (DDS). To convey a sufficient dose of drug to the lesion, suitable carriers of drugs are needed. Nano and microparticle carriers have important potential applications for the administration of therapeutic molecules, he said.

The pharmaceutical technology has grown by leaps and bounds over the years. And, the research in this area is being carried out all over the world at a great pace. Research areas cover novel properties that have been developed increased efficiency of drug delivery, improved release profiles and drug targeting. But in India, lots of work is still to be done. The pharma industry needs to invest and spent much of their money and efforts to develop these technologies in some of the excellent ways so that the patients would get a better opportunity for the treatment, Prof Khar said.

Talking about the technical aspect of the technology, he revealed that "Understanding the derivation of the methods of controlled release and the range of new polymers can be a barrier to involvement of a nonspecialist. Of the different dosage forms reported, nanoparticles and microparticles attained much importance, due to a tendency to accumulate in inflamed areas of the body. Nano and microparticles for their attractive properties occupy unique position in drug delivery technology".

He informed that some of the projects in this regard were also being run at the Hamdard University, funded by central government. One of them deals with nanotechnology carrier systems for modern medicines and the other one for the herbal medicines.