The Skin's Medicine Library 2: The Past, Present and Future of Transdermal Patches

The existence of the skin barrier makes it difficult for drugs to be absorbed into the body through the skin. The first generation of transdermal patches only support the release of small molecule drugs into the skin, while large molecule drugs are difficult to penetrate, which limits the types of drugs that can be used with transdermal patches. However, where there are difficulties, there are opportunities to solve them. The development of science and technology always provides us with new ideas, allowing transdermal patches to enter different treatment fields one after another, bringing good news to patients.

1.History of Transdermal Patches: Milestones and Innovations

Transdermal drug delivery is not a new concept. The history of topical drug delivery through the skin dates back to the earliest medical records of mankind.

Transdermal drug delivery systems were originally developed from herbal plants. People used herbs to make drugs for smearing, bandaging, rubbing or applying to the skin . With the change of demand and technological development, it gradually developed into the current patch technology. For example, in Zhang's Medical Manual compiled by Zhang Lu in the Qing Dynasty in China , a white mustard seed topical formula for the prevention and treatment of lung diseases was included , which has a good effect in the prevention and treatment of asthma. In 1979, the first transdermal patch, scopolamine patch for the treatment of motion sickness, was launched on the market, and since then, transdermal patches have begun to rise. Between 1980 and 1990, nitroglycerin patches (cardiovascular) and fentanyl patches (cancer pain) became commercialized. By 2000, the dosage form technology breakthrough promoted the extension of transdermal patch indications to neurological diseases (Nicoderm patches, Parkinson's patches) . In 2007, rivastigmine, a drug for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, was launched in the form of a patch (Exelon). To date, more than 30 drugs have been successfully developed into transdermal preparations and approved for marketing worldwide . There are hundreds of transdermal prescription drug products on the market, mainly concentrated in the fields of anti-inflammatory and analgesic, psychiatric drugs and hormone drugs.

2.Current status of transdermal patches: representative products and market structure

At present, the transdermal patch market presents a dual-track pattern of "stable traditional fields and rising emerging tracks". In mature markets, chronic disease management and pain control are still the core scenarios. Cancer pain management products represented by fentanyl patches (such as Johnson & Johnson's Duragesic) have long dominated the market, accounting for 25% of the total market share and an annual market size of over US$1.5 billion. However, due to abuse, their use has also been more strictly controlled. Nicotine smoking cessation patches (such as GSK’s Nicoderm CQ) and hormone replacement patches (Bayer’s Climara ) have maintained steady growth in the European and American markets due to high patient compliance.

Emerging fields focus on macromolecular drugs and vaccine delivery. Due to the need for frequent insulin injections, diabetic patients are always covered with pinholes, and the development of insulin microneedle transdermal patches has achieved non-injection drug delivery and alleviated patients' pain. In addition, breakthroughs in microneedle technology have extended transdermal patches from treatment to prevention: Vaxxas' HPV vaccine patch and MicronJet's influenza vaccine patch have entered Phase III clinical trials and are expected to subvert the traditional injection vaccination model. In addition, scientists are exploring transdermal patches for the new crown vaccine to meet the challenges of global cold chain distribution and improve the global promotion of vaccines . In the field of medical beauty, hyaluronic acid microneedle patches (such as South Korea's Caregen) have become the new favorite in the anti-aging market. Therefore, to promote the new development of transdermal patches, breakthroughs in penetration-enhancing materials and penetration-enhancing technologies are key.

In terms of regional market contribution, North America leads the market with a share of 45%, and Asia Pacific is 15%. Among them, due to the early development of transdermal patches in Europe, the United States and Japan, mature technology and high brand concentration , companies such as Hisamitsu, Novartis , Johnson & Johnson, and Medline Industries LP are in a leading position , among which Hisamitsu and Novartis occupy the top two with their diversified product portfolios . The Chinese market is in a rapid catch-up stage, with nearly 300 varieties on the market, mainly concentrated in the fields of analgesia, cardiovascular and nervous system. With the promotion of the consistency evaluation of high-end preparations by the state, there is huge room for domestic substitution of transdermal patches, which has become one of the important directions for pharmaceutical companies to deploy high-barrier generic drugs . Beijing Tide Pharmaceutical, Luye Pharm, Hunan Jiudian Pharmaceutical, etc. are leaders in this field. Among them, Tide Pharmaceutical is a leading enterprise, and its flurbiprofen gel patch (Debaian) suitable for arthritis is widely favored by patients. In 2018, Tide launched lidocaine gel patch (Debaining), becoming the first topical patch in the field of neuropathic pain in China. In 2025, Tide launched tulobuterol patch (Deruituo), filling the gap in domestic topical patches for obstructive pulmonary disease. In the future, transdermal patches combining new materials and nanotechnology will further expand indications and application scenarios, showing strong market potential.

3.The future of transdermal patches

By 2033, the transdermal patch market size is expected to reach USD 12.82 billion.

As an innovative drug delivery system, transdermal patches have broad prospects for development in the medical field in the future. With the continuous breakthroughs in materials science, nanotechnology and skin physiology research, transdermal patches are gradually expanding from traditional analgesia and cardiovascular disease fields to more extensive indications such as hormone regulation, mental illness, diabetes and even vaccination. A new generation of transdermal systems such as microneedle patches and intelligent controlled-release patches are under development, which can achieve precise drug release and remote dosage control, greatly improving treatment efficiency and safety.

In addition, the rise of digital health has also given transdermal patches more intelligent possibilities. For example, wearable patches combined with sensors can monitor drug efficacy and vital sign data in real time to provide support for individualized treatment. At the policy level, the encouragement of high-end preparations and the promotion of consistency evaluation by countries around the world will also accelerate the two-way layout of transdermal patches in generic drugs and innovative drugs. In the future, transdermal patches will not only be a drug delivery tool, but may also become an innovative carrier for the integration of medical care and technology, promoting the development of precision medicine and chronic disease management to a higher level.

From simple topical ointment application to patches made by precision coating equipment, technological progress has promoted innovation in the medical field, brought better products to countless patients, and also allowed countless companies dedicated to human health to see unlimited possibilities in the future. If you have any questions about transdermal patch production technology, please feel free to consult us - Aligned, focusing on pharmaceuticals and human health, provides you with a one-stop solution.