49203 - Pharmaceutical Technique (3 Credits)

Course contents

The course deals with the study of theoretical, practical and biopharmaceutical aspects of pharmaceutical preparation. Study of basic principles, processes and techniques applied to pharmaceutical dosage forms. Application and study of physicochemical principles and factors that influence the drug efficiency in traditional pharmaceutical formulations.

The course concerns:

1) Biopharmaceutics. Fundamental principles and quantitative relationships to evaluate biological data. Approaches in optimizing pharmaceutical preparations, in designing dosage and dosage regimens, and in evaluation of the biological as well as therapeutic responses. LADME system. Pharmacokinetic evaluation of blood concentration data. Single and multiple dose pharmacokinetics. Bioavailability and bioequivalence of different pharmaceutical preparations.

2) Dissolution. Influence of pH, temperature and stirring on dissolution. In vitro dissolution testing. E nhancing dissolution strategies: complex-formation, micelle-formation and salt-formation.

3) Monophasic and biphasic pharmaceutical systems: formulation technologies, stability and production. Solutions, emulsion and suspension. Theories of emulsion and basic rheolgy of emulsions. Emulsifying agents. Surfactants.  HLB values. Physical stability.  Methods assessing stability of emulsions. Suspending agents. Particle size, flocculation and sedimentation. Pharmacopeia tests.

4) Solid dosage forms:  formulation technologies, stability and production. Powders and grinding processes. Granules. Wet and dry granulation. Tablets. Production of tablets. Additives and components. Preparation of components for compression. The physical processes of compression; operative parameters. Capsules. Hard and soft gelatin capsules. Formulation of shell and contents. Capsule production: filling operation and equipment employed.  Film coatings systems for tablets and capsules. Sustained release coatings. Enteric coatings. Pharmacopeia tests.

5) evaluation of the release profiles from conventional and innovative pharmaceutical systems.

Assessment methods

Oral examination.

Office hours

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