Pharmaceutical Technology Europe-01-01-2003

After a year that has endured the devastating effects of global economic recessions, corporate bankruptcies, lay-offs and reorganizations, the need for a stable work environment has been steadily moving toward the top of every employee's list of priorities. Industry analysts have been carefully watching for signs of how these factors, and the responses to them from government and regulatory agencies, may ultimately affect the corporate job environment as a whole. The following results of the fifth annual international employment survey show that while the pharmaceutical industry remains strong, its employees are only cautiously optimistic.

After a year that has endured the devastating effects of global economic recessions, corporate bankruptcies, lay-offs and reorganizations, the need for a stable work environment has been steadily moving toward the top of every employee's list of priorities. Industry analysts have been carefully watching for signs of how these factors, and the responses to them from government and regulatory agencies, may ultimately affect the corporate job environment as a whole. The following results of the fifth annual international employment survey show that while the pharmaceutical industry remains strong, its employees are only cautiously optimistic.

Brussels report

It has been demonstrated that the existing FDA dose content uniformity test has very poor statistical relevance, which has resulted in the acceptance of poor quality batches and the rejection of good quality batches. By using Bayesian Inference, a much improved test has been produced that allows the quality of a batch of drug product to be determined accurately, using a suitable number of samples for the quality of the batch.

Packaging technology is moving into the 21st century with innovative and cost-effective developments, including sound, moving images and even tracking devices. What was once deemed science fiction is rapidly becoming science fact. This article explores the latest developments in blister pack technology, discussing the range of benefits to both pharmaceutical manufacturers and patients.

Efforts to establish a Medicare pharmacy benefit programme will affect drug pricing and policies that shape industry research and development.

Medicines and excipients are inseparable, with few exceptions - one cannot exist without the other. The Pharmaceutical Quality Group and other international bodies have developed good manufacturing practice (GMP) standards and guidelines to facilitate the effective supply of excipients. This article discusses the definition and significance of excipients, and highlights the importance of implementing the correct excipient manufacturing controls and standards.