An important breakthrough has been published for people who are jittery about jabs.

Biomedical Engineers in the United States have developed a sticky patch which is applied to the skin to deliver drugs directly through the surface.

The easy and painless drug delivery system was developed by an assistant professor with the Wake Forest School in Virginia; it can reportedly increase drug delivery time while cutting waste and minimising side-effects.

Professor Lissett Bickford led the research team whose findings have now been published in the journal Advanced Materials. The biomedical and mechanical engineering professor undertook the development over a number of years.

The most recent iteration of the patch contains and array of hundreds of micron-sized needles that pierce the skin and dissolve, delivering embedded therapeutics. Previous versions encountered problems in delivering their full payload through the skin, slowing delivery time and increasing waste.

The new patch attaches to the skin like a normal adhesive bandage, pierces the skin, delivers its treatment and finally dissolves.

Professor Bickford said the softer, more malleable and water-soluble material also allows for more precise control over the shape, size, and composition of the patch.