Physical Characterization Of Pharmaceutical Solids

It is evident even to the casual observer that the vast majority of pharmaceutical products are administered as solid dosage forms, which are in turn produced by the formulation and processing of powdered solids. All too often characterization of raw materials and products has centered on aspects of chemical purity, with only passing attention being given to the physical properties of the solids. However, every pharmaceutical scientist knows of at least one instance in which a crisis arose due to some variation in the physical properties of input materials, and in which better characterization would have prevented the problem.
The pharmaceutical community is rapidly becoming aware of the need to obtain proper physical characterization of raw materials, drug substances, and formulated products. The present volume seeks to address these concerns by outlining a comprehensive program for this work.