Section 3(d) for precluding patent evergreening: India's attempts to improve access to medicines

In the year 2013, India created a stir in the world of pharmaceutica

Brand to brand variation in the disintegrant functionality of Polacrilin Potassium, NF

The current monograph for Polacrilin Potassium, NF does not specify tests that could assist in distinguishing between different brands of this disintegrant. The objective of this work was to examine the physical characteristics of four brands of Polacrilin Potassium, NF and relate the observed differences to differences in their functionality. Significant differences were observed in the particle size, true density, porosity, surface area and morphology of the samples. Functionality tests, such as settling volume, intrinsic swelling, rate and extent of water uptake were carried out. Significant differences were observed in intrinsic swelling and the initial rate of water uptake. The disintegration times of the tablets were found to be a function of the initial rate of water uptake. Since the disintegration times were shown to be significantly different despite negligible differences in settling volumes, wicking and water uptake, as opposed to the magnitude of swelling, appear to be the major mechanisms that distinguish disintegration performance between different brands of Polacrilin Potassium, NF when incorporated into insoluble tablet matrices. Thus, the measurement of the rate of water uptake may be a useful functionality test for Polacrilin Potassium in particular, and for ion exchange resin type disintegrants in general

TASTE ABATEMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF DISPERSIBLE TABLETS OF ARTEMETHER PREPARED BY HOT MELT EXTRUSION

Objective: The aim of this study was to formulate and evaluate a taste-masked formulation using hot melt extrusion approach for artemether.Methods: Taste masking of artemether was done by preparing solid dispersion with coating polymer kollicoatsmartseal 30D using hot melt extrusion. The prepared solid dispersion was subjected to taste masking evaluation like sensory evaluation parameters against five levels set for taste evaluation using artemether as control standard along with in vitro release studies in simulated salivery fluid. After taste evaluation of solid dispersion was subjected to the formulation of dispersible tablets by direct compression method. The final taste masking evaluation of dispersible tablets of solid dispersion containing artemether were done by a sensory evaluation panel of nine members along with in vitro release study in simulated salivary and gastric fluid.Results: The percent drug content was found 35.09±0.06 % in solid dispersion. The drug excipients compatibility studies performed with the help of FTIR instrument and DSC that indicates there were no interactions between drug and polymers. Solid dispersions (1:1, 1:2, 1:3 drug polymer ratio) of artemether were evaluated by sensory evaluation panel from which 1:3 drug: polymer solid dispersion was found more palatable. Release rate study in simulated salivary fluid shown no release but shows release of drug in simulated gastric fluids which indicates that the drug was taste masked. The optimized batch of dispersible tablets (F1) were subjected for evaluation parameters like dispersion time (70±1.90), wetting time (63±1.86), etc. Dissolution studies of optimized formulation indicated that the polymer does not allow drug to release in simulated salivery pH 6.8 but shows immediate release in simulated gastric pH which also confirms taste masking efficiency of polymer. Final optimized F1 batch evaluated for taste masking evaluation by sensory evaluation panel using pure drug as control standard found to be palatable.Conclusion: It may be concluded that kollicoatsmartseal 30D could mask the taste of the drug in salivary pH and shows drug release at gastric pH which confirms its efficiency for taste masking

Analysis of Patents Pertaining to Superdisintegrants used in Tablet Manufacturing

601-604The objective of the present investigation is application of patent analysis tool in planning research on superdisintegrants in pharmaceutical tablets. Tablet disintegration has received considerable attention as an essential step in obtaining fast drug release. The major function of the disintegrants is to appose efficiency of the tablet binder and physical forces that act under compression to form the tablet. Superdisintegrants generally are used at low level in solid dosage form, typically 1-10% by weight relative to the total weight of the dosage unit. They are important in formulation of novel tablet dosage forms like mouth disintegrating tablets. Not all research gets published in papers and a lot of information is made available to the public through patents. A detailed analysis of the granted patents as well as patent applications can provide information that may otherwise be found critical however, missing. By analysing patents on superdisintegrants, research gaps can be identified and the research work to be taken up can be focused. A complete analysis of the patents granted on superdisintegrants was done using various criteria such as patenting trends over the years, country wise distribution and different classes of superdisintegrants

Brand to brand variation in the disintegrant functionality of Polacrilin Potassium, NF

The current monograph for Polacrilin Potassium, NF does not specify tests that could assist in distinguishing between different brands of this disintegrant. The objective of this work was to examine the physical characteristics of four brands of Polacrilin Potassium, NF and relate the observed differences to differences in their functionality. Significant differences were observed in the particle size, true density, porosity, surface area and morphology of the samples. Functionality tests, such as settling volume, intrinsic swelling, rate and extent of water uptake were carried out. Significant differences were observed in intrinsic swelling and the initial rate of water uptake. The disintegration times of the tablets were found to be a function of the initial rate of water uptake. Since the disintegration times were shown to be significantly different despite negligible differences in settling volumes, wicking and water uptake, as opposed to the magnitude of swelling, appear to be the major mechanisms that distinguish disintegration performance between different brands of Polacrilin Potassium, NF when incorporated into insoluble tablet matrices. Thus, the measurement of the rate of water uptake may be a useful functionality test for Polacrilin Potassium in particular, and for ion exchange resin type disintegrants in general

Study of Different Crystal Habits of Aprepitant: Dissolution and Material Attributes

In the present study, aprepitant (APT) was selected to find its suitable crystal habit, which can improve its existing poor dissolution and manufacturing processability. Solvents were screened out for solubility analysis of APT and further crystal habit modification. Solid-state characterization studies like powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) distinguished that tabular crystal habit was generated from acetone (APT-AC) and long tabular crystal habit was generated from ethyl acetate (APT-EA). Kawakita analysis and powder flow property studies showed that APT-EA is cohesive, has poor flow property and low bulk density compared to APT-AC (p < 0.05). Heckel plots reflected that APT-EA shows higher fragmentation and particle rearrangement during the initial stages as indicated by the higher intercept values. Higher slopes in APT-EA and APT-AC confirmed better plasticity but lower yield pressure in APT-AC proved good plastic deformation compared to APT-EA (p < 0.05). The dissolution profile of the APT-EA was found to be better than that of APT-AC. Overall, it can be concluded that APT-AC crystal habit has a better flow rate, tensile strength, and plasticity whereas APT-EA has better dissolution