Formulation and Drug Delivery

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.

The authors establish a quantitative framework for understanding the correlation between the segregation of pharmaceutical powders and various physical and process parameters.

This article reflects on the challenges that predicting powder flowability currently pose to the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and considers some of the benefits that can accrue when companies overcome these issues.

The author provides a brief review of tumor-specific and liver-targeted cationic liposomes and the strategies for the development of liposome-ligand complexes.

Previous articles have presented a general review of the different types of spheres that can be obtained with a rotary fluidized bed process.1,2 This two-part study focusses on lipid spheres that can be prepared using hydrogenated castor oil, as well as examining the feasibility of the process and the main characteristics of the spheres obtained.

Erythritol is a bulk sweetener polyol that is suitable for a variety of reduced-calorie and sugar-free foods. It has been part of the human diet for thousands of years because of its presence in foods such as fruit, mushrooms and fermentation-derived products including wine, soy sauce and cheese. This article investigates the properties of erythritol and describes how it can be used as a pharmaceutical excipient.

The study presented in this article used a controlled-porosity osmotic pump, which was prepared in the form of a bilayered tablet containing a drug compartment and an osmogen layer for the delayed release of diltiazem HCI.

Single-use filtration technology is becoming increasingly popular as manufacturers seek to cut costs and minimize processing times.

Isolator technology can be used in clinical product formulation and filling facilities to ensure environmental control and reduce contamination risk in aseptic processing.

Biotech firms face new issues as FDA weighs policies to streamline generic-drug approvals and reduce patent disputes.

New research has led to significant advances in formulations and inhalation systems for pulmonary delivery.

Sterilizing grade filters are widely used in the biopharmaceutical industry and were once thought of as being perfect. However, these filters have experienced rapid developments and improvements during the last decade, which have resulted in enhanced thermal and mechanical resistance. Moreover, their performance levels have been raised, which has led to significant cost savings within production processes.

The tabletting properties of a new coprocessed excipient for direct compression were compared with a physical mixture of its components (separately and with drugs) and the individual constituents. The compaction properties were also investigated. Results indicated that the new excipient has excellent flow properties and demonstrates enhanced compressibility.

Progress in developing AIDS vaccines is focussing attention on the challenges involved in producing millions of doses for developing nations.

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.

Reform legislation about generic drugs remains at the forefront of debate as innovator companies poise to challenge FDA proposals regarding patent laws.

Ultrafiltration is a pressure-driven membrane filtering process used to separate and/or purify dissolved or suspended particles from water and other liquids. Recent advances in materials and membrane manufacturing techniques have led to ultrafiltration playing a pivotal role in a number of biopharmaceutical processes, including protein concentration and blood for actionation. This article examines the criteria that should be considered when selecting membranes for such applications.

Spectroscopy using light is a familiar technique and the electromagnetic spectrum from UV to IR is routinely employed. This article looks at the advantages and applications of spectroscopy using sound waves, with special reference to pharmaceutical research.

The aim of this work was to investigate the compactibility, compressibility and drug release behaviour of different fractions of a commercially available ethyl cellulose.

Using melt extrusion to prepare glass solutions of poorly water-soluble drugs with hydrophilic excipients offers an exciting and advantageous alternative to existing formulation methods such as spray-drying and co-melting. Investigating potential methods to increase water solubility begins early in drug development. Techniques described in this paper show how only a small quantity of drug can be used to determine its suitability for melt extrusion, allowing the method to be considered at the same time as salt screening and particle size reduction work, and could speed up the formulation process.

Extensive research has been conducted to improve the solubility and permeability of acetazolamide in hopes that a topical formulation for the treatment of glaucoma can be developed.

A knowledgeable and experienced contract service provider can help in the development and success of an inhalation drug product.

In this study, the authors examine the suitability of 0.45 &#181m&#150rated filters to be used as sterilizing and bioburden-reduction filters against significant populations of organisms such as B. diminuta in a wide range of differential pressures.

Adhesives manufacturers can be involved in the development of transdermal drug delivery products by working with pharmaceutical companies on R&D, materials qualification, manufacturing, and other product development tasks.