Pharmaceutical Technology Europe-09-01-2004

Customers are placing high demands on pharmaceutical manufacturers to produce sensitive, cost-effective and regulatory compliant inspection technology. This article examines how metal detection equipment suppliers can combine forces with manufacturers to provide state-of-the-art inspection systems, giving particular consideration to cleaning processes and regulatory issues.

This article investigates what defines a best-in-class QC lab based on experience of implementing operational improvement projects in world-class labs. It includes an assessment of a benchmarking process, a case study of improvements made as a result at one company and findings on what constitutes best-in-class for QC labs.

In Europe ... the onward rush of time has imposed no change at all during the last 25 years. Anyone could step back in at any point, at any moment, and find the same depressingly familiar debates, interminably failing to reach any real conclusions.

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 new generation of drug delivery devices is being developed. Smart skin patches, it is claimed, will provider a safer and more user-friendly method of taking medication. This article highlights some recent developments in the field and analyses some of the many benefits the patches will provide to patients.