Solid/Semi-Solid Dosage

Size reduction of materials through comminution is employed in many industries, including agrochemicals, minerals, ceramics and pharmaceuticals. The reasons for particle size reduction depend on the industry in question. Within the pharmaceutical industry, a large percentage of products are formed from powders and undergo processing to improve dosage form properties. Particle size reduction prior to compacting to tablets can aid with dissolution and homogeneity. Such processing of powders is, in part, dependent on their mechanical properties and balancing these properties is crucial in achieving desired manufacturing performance. Generally, pilot-scale milling trials are run to determine the most effective and efficient mill and operating conditions for each material. These trials, however, require relatively large quantities of material as well as time, and are normally run in early development when sufficient material becomes available. Hence, it would be highly beneficial to identify a physical property..

With creative engineering and sophisticated chemistry, industry scientists offer big solutions for attaining small particle sizes and narrow distributions.

Freeze pelletization is a new and simple technique for producing spherical pellets for pharmaceutical use.

Using dimensionless analytical models, the authors establish the relationships among the essential parameters of a kneading complexation process.

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The authors suggest a design strategy for an aseptic process simulation that focuses on the basic repeating unit of the process, establishing alert and action criteria for the unit itself, and using worst-case simulations to establish routine operational parameters for the manufacturing process.

A straightforward approach reveals how the probability of passing the USP content uniformity test can be calculated for tablets and capsules.

In this final part of a series of three articles, the results from experiments involving cohesive materials are discussed in terms of mixing performance, agglomerate comminution, and lubrication of powder mixtures.

This article reviews various physicochemical approaches that may be employed to enhance absorption following oral administration of solid dosage forms in humans. This article also examines strategies based on capitalizing or neutralizing physiological processes.

A novel probe design can reduce the powder-sample density variance such that moisture and solvent levels can be accurately modeled and predicted in process.

The results of forced degradation studies indicate the need for alternatives to valerophenone as an internal standard calibration for quantifying ibuprofen in bulk drug and tablet assay samples.

The electronic tongue technology provides a technically suitable and cost-effective method for screening and directing taste formulation, while eliminating both safety concerns and subjective bias.

Pharmaceutical Science & Technology News

In part two of a series of three articles, mixing rates and mechanisms are examined using rectangular bin blenders and two free-flowing mixtures.

Pharmaceutical Science & Technology News

Pharmaceutical Science & Technology Innovations

pharmaceutical science and technology news

Added functionality excipients facilitate the development of novel drug delivery methods and improve processing techniques.

Currently, high-production rates and continuous production processes favor existing tableting technologies. However, if tablet development becomes rate-limiting in the future, alternative technologies may prove attractive.

Some of the common problems faced by formulators and how using ion exchange resins may be able to solve them are discussed.

Recent advances in spray-drying technology have led to the production of new directly compressible lactose grades with distinct advantages.

Recent technology improvements have made acrylics the preferred system for the aqueous enteric coating of tablets.

In this series of articles, bin blender performance is comprehensively reviewed using both free-flowing and cohesive mixtures. In part 1, an introduction to tools and techniques is presented, followed by an examination of parameter effects, mixing mechanisms, and the effects of cohesion on mixing.

The author describes a separation method for two active ingredients in the contraceptive pill with liquid chromatography UV detection.

The author suggests that an excipient's functionality can only be determined in the context of a specific formulation and manufacturing process.

Pharmaceutical science and technology innovations

Bin blender performance is comprehensively reviewed using both free-flowing and cohesive mixtures.

Dry powder inhalers are a well-accepted dosage form for pulmonary drug delivery and a wide variety are either currently available or in development. This article examines a premetered, capsule-based multidose inhaler for which different qualities of a-lactose monohydrate were screened.

The bioavailability of some insoluble drugs is enhanced when they are dissolved in the solubilizing agent macrogol 400, although conventional hard capsules cannot tolerate the agent. This article investigates a PVA copolymer, which has been developed by the authors, examining its properties and its suitability as a material in capsule formulations.

This article describes the use of a one-pot processor for the cleaning and cleaning validation of two drug compounds - water-soluble theophylline and water-insoluble mebendazole. Both substances were produced using wet granulation and microwave drying, after which the processor was cleaned using its clean-in-place (CIP) system. Swab samples were taken from areas considered critical during processing and analysed for remains of active ingredient. It was concluded from the results that the processor's CIP system is capable of removing both moieties to a level well within accepted regulations.