Abstract

ASTROPHARMACY: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN SPACE DRUG DELIVERY

Sayali Mane* and Mrs. Nita Khade

ABSTRACT

Astropharmacy is a new and developing field that connects space science with pharmacy to optimize pharmaceutical care during space missions. As astronauts travel farther into space — such as to the Moon or Mars — they face numerous challenges that affect their health, including microgravity, radiation, disrupted sleep, muscle weakness, and changes in vision. These conditions also influence how medicines function in their bodies, making drug delivery in space more complex than on Earth. This review paper discusses the main challenges of drug delivery in space, such as the degradation of medicines due to space conditions, changes in how the body absorbs and responds to drugs, and the need for medications that are long-lasting and stable. It also examines how emerging technologies—such as 3D printing of medicines, personalized medicine, and on-demand drug production—can help address these challenges. With supportfrom international space agencies like NASA, the field of astropharmacy is rapidly evolving and presents numerous opportunities not only for space exploration but also for advancing pharmaceutical practices on Earth. The goal of this paper is to explore current research, highlight existing challenges, and present the future potential of space-based pharmacy. It synthesizes findings from various sources to provide a clear overview of the progress made so far and the possibilities that lie ahead.

Keywords: Astropharmacy, drug delivery, Microgravity, Drug stability in space, Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, Space medicine.