Kris Kapadiya,
Mihir Patel,
Nishit Thakkar,
- Student, Department of Pharmacy, Gujarat Technological University School of Pharmacy, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
- Student, Department of Pharmacy, Gujarat Technological University School of Pharmacy, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
- Student, Department of Pharmacy, Gujarat Technological University School of Pharmacy, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
Abstract
As humankind prepares for prolonged space exploration and the establishment of lunar and Martian habitats, ensuring reliable access to safe and effective medicines has emerged as a critical challenge. The evolving discipline of space pharmacy addresses the unique pharmaceutical needs of astronauts in microgravity and radiation-rich environments, where drug stability, packaging, and pharmacokinetics are markedly different from conditions on Earth. Traditional dosage forms often undergo accelerated degradation, while altered fluid distribution and metabolism in microgravity may impact therapeutic outcomes. Furthermore, the logistical limitations of resupply missions necessitate innovative approaches to extend shelf life, minimize storage requirements, and ensure timely access to essential therapies. Recent research has focused on advanced protective packaging, real-time monitoring of drug potency, and the development of on-demand pharmaceutical manufacturing technologies such as 3D printing and bioreactors for protein and nucleic acid therapies. Telepharmacy and AI- assisted monitoring are also being explored to support in-flight medication management. Despite these advances, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding long-term stability under cosmic radiation, the pharmacogenomic adaptation of astronauts, and scalable production models for deep-space missions. This review critically examines current challenges, highlights recent innovations, and outlines future directions in space pharmacy. By integrating drug stability studies, novel delivery platforms, and personalized therapeutic strategies, the field is poised to become an indispensable component of human space exploration. Ultimately, space pharmacy will play a central role in safeguarding astronaut health and enabling sustainable missions beyond Earth.
Keywords: Space pharmacy, drug stability, microgravity, pharmacokinetics, packaging, on-demand manufacturing, astronaut healthcare, space exploration
[This article belongs to Trends in Drug Delivery ]
Kris Kapadiya, Mihir Patel, Nishit Thakkar. Space Pharmacy for Human Space Exploration: Overcoming Drug Stability, Packaging Challenges, Pharmacokinetic Variations, and Developing Innovative On-Demand Therapeutic Solutions for Long- Duration Missions Beyond Earth. Trends in Drug Delivery. 2025; 13(01):-.
Kris Kapadiya, Mihir Patel, Nishit Thakkar. Space Pharmacy for Human Space Exploration: Overcoming Drug Stability, Packaging Challenges, Pharmacokinetic Variations, and Developing Innovative On-Demand Therapeutic Solutions for Long- Duration Missions Beyond Earth. Trends in Drug Delivery. 2025; 13(01):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/tdd/article=2025/view=232845
References
Trends in Drug Delivery
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue | 01 |
| Received | 22/10/2025 |
| Accepted | 15/11/2025 |
| Published | 23/11/2025 |
| Publication Time | 32 Days |
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