Publishing Beyond the Printed Page

With the growth of digital publishing options, the traditional magazine article has taken on a new form. For editors, this is good news, providing opportunity to expand coverage in terms of length, scope, and format.

In 2013, Pharmaceutical Technology introduced its first eBook; this month, we are adding a second, focusing on solid dosage manufacturing and excipients. Two additional eBooks are planned for later this year. In addition, the editors initiated video and audio content on PharmTech TV.

While the traditional “article” has evolved to diverse “media,” the core value of the content remains the same. The editors seek quality, objective contributions from drug development experts. The following is a summary of our editorial guidelines.

Pharmaceutical Technology (and its sister publication Pharmaceutical Technology Europe) publishes peer-reviewed technical articles and expert analyses for scientists, engineers, and managers engaged in process development, manufacturing, formulation and drug delivery, API synthesis, analytical technology, packaging, IT, outsourcing, and regulatory compliance.

Readers are PhD-level scientists, senior-level scientists, or senior production professionals involved in formulation development, process development, and manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients and finished drug-products; drug-delivery technologies; analytical methods development and testing; quality assurance/quality control and validation; and advances in pharmaceutical equipment, machinery, instrumentation, facility design, and plant operations.

Types of articles
Manuscripts accepted for peer review are published simultaneously in both Pharmaceutical Technology and Pharmaceutical Technology Europe. Papers are also posted on www.PharmTech.com. Articles submitted for peer review may fall into four main categories: standard data-driven, novel research paper; topical literature or patent review; technical case studies/technical application notes; and science-based opinion papers.

Technical articles and analyses, published in monthly issues and supplements, must be objective and technically relevant. An article can be a technical case study, demonstrating a problem resolution with related technical data and analysis; an explanation of a new or enhanced technology and related applications; an explanation of new compendial or regulatory standards; a topical literature review; a review of industry developments in a given area; or a review of regulatory developments and compendial requirements and related analysis.

Submission deadlines
Peer-reviewed submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis. Depending on the manuscript, peer-reviewed articles usually take about one to two months for review, revision, and acceptance by the editors. Once accepted, an article is published within four to eight months.

Technical, non peer-reviewed articles fit topics on the annual editorial calendar and are typically assigned three to five months before the issue is published. If you would like to contribute an article, send an outline or abstract proposal to Pharmaceutical Technology. If your topic is accepted, an editor will assign you an official deadline, approximately six weeks before the publication date.

Getting started
If you are interested in writing for traditional print or digital alternatives, visit www.pharmtech.com/AuthorGuidelines. Then contact me to discuss these new media opportunities.

About the Author
Rita Peters is the editorial director of Pharmaceutical Technology.