Business Research Methods a Managerial Approach

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Powder properties and their influence on dry powder inhaler delivery of an antitubercular drug

The purpose of this study was to determine if aerosol delivery of drug loaded microparticles to lungs infected withMycobacterium tuberculosis may be achieved by predicting dispersion of dry powders through knowledge of particle surface properties. Particle sizes of rifampicin-loaded poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microparticles (R-PLGA), rifampicin alone, and lactose and maltodextrin carrier particles (bulk and 75-125-μm sieved fractions) were determined by electron microscopy for the projected area diameter (Dp) and laser diffraction for the volume diameter (Dv). Surface energies (Y) of R-PLGA, rifampicin alone, lactose, and maltodextrin were obtained by inverse phase gas chromatography, surface areas (Sa) by N2 adsorption, and cohesive energy densities by calculation. Particle dispersion was evaluated (Andersen nonviable impactor) for 10% blends of R-PLGA and rifampicin alone with bulk and sieved fractions of the carriers. Dp for R-PLGA and rifampicin alone was 3.02 and 2.83 μm, respectively. Dv was 13±1 and 2±1 μm for R-PLGA and rifampicin alone, respectively, indicating that R-PLGA was more aggregated. This was evident in Y of 35±1 and 19±6 mJ/m2 for R-PLGA and rifampicin alone. Dp for lactose and maltodextrin (sieved and bulk) was approximately 40 mm. Bulk maltodextrin (Dv=119±6 mm) was more aggregated than bulk lactose (Dv=54±2 mm). This was a result of the higher Sa for maltodextrin (0.54 m2/g) than for lactose (0.21 m2/g). The Y of bulk lactose and maltodextrin was 40±4 and 60±6 mJ/m2 and of sieved lactose and maltodextrin was 39±1 and 50±1 mJ/m2. Impaction studies yielded higher fine particle fractions of R-PLGA from sieved lactose, 13%±3%, than from sieved maltodextrin, 7%±1%, at 90 L/min. An expression, based on these data, is proposed as a predictor of drug dispersion from carrier particles

Exporting an Inherently Harmful Product: The Marketing of Virginia Slims Cigarettes in the United States, Japan, and Korea

Ethical issues surrounding the marketing and trade of controversial products such as tobacco require a better understanding. Virginia Slims, an exclusively women’s cigarette brand first launched in 1968 in the USA, was introduced during the mid 1980s to major Asian markets, such as Japan and Korea, dominated by male smokers. By reviewing internal corporate documents, made public from litigation, we examine the marketing strategies used by Philip Morris as they entered new markets such as Japan and Korea and consider the extent that the company attempted to appeal to women in markets where comparatively few women were smokers. The case study of Virginia Slims reveals that the classification of “vulnerable” consumers is variable depending on culture, tobacco firms display responsive efforts and strategies when operating within a “mature” market, and cultural values played a role in informing Philip Morris’ strategic decision to embrace an adaptive marketing approach, particularly when entering the Korean market. Finally, moral questions are raised with tobacco being identified as a priority product for export and international trade agreements being used by corporations, governments, or trade partners in efforts to undermine domestic public health policies