Polymers have a variety of uses in medical therapies.  The simplest of these uses include polymers as ordinary formulation ingredients for pharmaceuticals.  For example, microcrystalline cellulose can be added to the formulations of drugs to improve tablet properties. Moving up the ladder of complexity, polymers can be used to provide special benefits when formulated with or linked to active pharmaceuticals.  These can include extended delivery of drugs from a polymer matrix and modification of the properties of protein drugs, as with PEGylation technology.  At their most complex, polymers can be the sole active component in a variety of medical uses.  Successful products incorporating this technology include phosphate binders for use in kidney disease, bile acid sequestrants for lipid lowering, viscosupplements for joint pain, and barrier films to prevent surgical adhesions.  This category of polymer therapeutics is perhaps the most intellectually challenging aspect of polymers in medicine, and is arguably the most successful use of polymers in this field.

Therapeutic polymers in medicine

240th National Meeting (2010)

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