Drugs to Medicines Orientation

Question 1

What are the fundamental unit processes?

Answer 1

• mixing
• comminution
• filtration
• drying
• tableting
• packaging

Question 2

Describe mixing.

Answer 2

• aim- combination of active and inert ingredients to form a uniform mixture

Question 3

What is are excipients?

Answer 3

• collective term for inert ingredients

- they are individually referred to as adjuncts

Question 4

Describe the different types of adjuncts.

Answer 4

• Diluents - fillers to add bulk I.e. Lactose
• Binders - adhesives that promote particle adhesion e.g. PVP
• Disintegrants - to break up tablets e.g. starch
• Glidants or Libricants - to promote flow properties e.g. magnesium stearate
• colours, flavours, sweeteners and fragrance

Question 5

What are the different types of mixing processes?

Answer 5

• powder mixing - blending solid particles
• blending an insoluble solid in a liquid to form a suspension
• solution - combine a mixture of miscible liquids
• disperse particles in a semi solid e.g. in preparing ointments and pastes

Question 6

What are the problems associated with incorrect mixing?

Answer 6

• incorrect quantity of active ingredient per unit quantity of material leading to incorrect dosage of active ingredient in product
• separation of constituents
• uneven dispersion of active ingredients in a semi-solid

Question 7

What is milling?

Answer 7

A type of mechanical comminution process to decrease the particle size of solids

Question 8

List the particle size effects.

Answer 8

• process handling

- biopharmaceutical effects

Question 9

What is process handling?

Answer 9

Flow properties

Packing properties

Question 10

What are biopharmaceutical effects?

Answer 10

• these occur following dosage form administration.

Question 11

What is therapeutic efficiency affected by?

Answer 11

Particle size effects the therapeutic efficiency of poorly soluble drugs in body fluids.

Question 12

Describe filtration.

Answer 12

• removal of particles such as microorganisms from liquids and gases
• removal of air particles to ensure a controlled or sterile production environment
• liquid clarification- ensuring they’re free of amphorous or crystalline precipitates, colloidal hazes or liquid drops to produce a sparkling liquid

Question 13

What is drying?

Answer 13

• usually occurs with a wet solid or solution of salutes that will form a solid dry product
• used to prepare granules in tableting

Question 14

What is tableting?

Answer 14

A process by which powder particles are ,are to adhere to for, larger particles to reduce segregation of the constituents in the powder mix and improve compression characteristics

Question 15

What are the advantages of packaging?

Answer 15

• product protection e.g. for transportation.
• product stability
• product information
• advertising