Recent Advances in Pharmaceutical Formulation

Dear Colleagues,

Pharmaceutical formulation represents a vital and deeply influential stage in the development of any medicinal product. The precision, creativity, and scientific rigor applied at this point shape not only the success of subsequent research and clinical phases, but also the real-world impact felt by patients. As the need for truly personalized therapies continues to grow, the limitations of standardized industrial products become increasingly evident. Patients bring with them unique biological profiles- genetic test results, intolerances, variable responses to therapy, making individualized approaches not just desirable, but often essential. In this evolving landscape, magistral and compounded preparations are re-emerging as highly adaptable solutions capable of meeting needs that industrial manufacturing cannot. From capsules tailored to patients with specific intolerances, to dermatological formulations using transdermal bases, to ovules containing thermolabile compounds impossible to mass produce, these practices highlight the remarkable versatility and human-centered value of pharmaceutical compounding. They also cultivate a distinct professional space for pharmacists whose laboratory expertise bridges scientific precision with artisanal care.

In recent years, this field has expanded significantly, particularly within individualized therapies informed by genetic testing. Such advances allow for the fine-tuning of treatments in ways previously unattainable. Within this framework, magistral compounding has emerged as a powerful and responsive tool, enabling the exact balancing of a formulation according to the optimal efficacy profile of an active substance as determined through genetic analysis. Personalized therapies are increasingly recognized not only as a scientific advancement, but as a profound contributor to patient well-being and professional fulfilment, providing physicians, patients, and pharmacists alike with a sense of trust, collaboration, and shared success.

This Special Issue aims to bring together innovative research contributions and thoughtful critical reviews focused on the formulation of personalized and compounded preparations. Areas of interest include sustainable excipients, preformulated bases, advanced drug-delivery platforms, and strategies for effectively adapting formulations to individual therapeutic needs. By weaving together traditional pharmaceutical craftsmanship with modern technological progress, this volume aspires to advance the field of pharmaceutical formulation in both academic discourse and clinical practice, always with the ultimate goal of improving patient care.

Dr. Magdalena Bîrsan
Dr. Robert-Alexandru Vlad
Prof. Dr. Ioan Tomuta
Guest Editors

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