Thermal Analysis as a Tool in Materials Science

As an emerging discipline, pharmaceutical materials science correlates physical properties of active compounds and pharmaceutical ingredients with the performance of the finished dosage product. Small molecules of pharmaceutical interest can exist in many different forms called morphs, which have different degrees of order at the atomic level. Detection, characterisation and quantification of amorphous, polymorphs and pseudo-polymorhs have been recent subjects of research globally. The thermal analysis (TA) has been extensively used to provide insight into structural changes on molecular level. Therefore, TA is the most important analytical tool for studying physico-chemical properties of materials. Amongst the most widely used thermal analytical techniques are thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and hot stage microscopy (HSM). Recently, differential mechanical analysis (DMA) and thermally stimulated current (TSC) spectroscopy draw attention to a new ways of monitoring motions and changes in the structure of materials. Basic principles and applications of the most widely used TA techniques are main scope of the presentation. In addition, novel approaches and hyphenated techniques will be introduced

The Utilisation Of Thermal Methods For The Screening Of Three Component Co-amorphous Systems

Indomethacin and piroxicam are known to become amorphous upon rapid cooling after melting. Multiple three-component co-amorphous mixtures have been produced via a melt quench method to evaluate the influence of the third component on stability and physical properties on the co-amorphous mixture of piroxicam and indomethacin. These have then been tested using thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scan calorimetry and hot stage microscopy. Results have confirmed the creation of a three-component co-amorphous system

Development of polymeric films incorporating amorphous drug

Incorporation of amorphous drugs in formulations can help address current solubility challenges in drug delivery [1, 2]. The aim of the current study was to develop novel polymeric films for buccal drug delivery and to investigate their ability to incorporate and stabilize an amorphous drug

Qualified Person Learning Programme Development: An Example of the Tempus Joint Project Activity

The role of Qualified Person (QP) is a pivotal one in Quality Assurance within the pharmaceutical industry. The competences required are usually achieved through work experience and more formal forms of learning, such as postgraduate MSc and/or relevant short-term courses. Duties of QP in the pharmaceutical sector in Serbia used to be performed by expert pharmacists with the relevant industrial experience and a Postgraduate Specialization Degree in Drug Analysis and Quality Control. However, it has been recognized that the learning needs of QPs should be extended to include knowledge of drug formulation and manufacturing processes. Taking into account the pre-accession status of Serbia, harmonization with EU practice and policies has been emphasized. In particular, compliance with EU directives 2001/82/EC and 2001/83/EC, which detail the role of, and academic qualifications required by a QP will be necessary. In order to respond to this need which has been highlighted within the sector, the Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade took responsibility for establishing the relevant postgraduate course, and set this as one of the priorities of the current Tempus PQPharm Project. The aim of this work is to provide an example of an outcomes-based interactive approach to curriculum development performed through an international joint-project collaboration activity