Continually evolving solid dosage forms

Solid dosage forms are a preferred option of drug administration. But, deployment of novel materials and new age manufacturing processes, supported by technology, to meet the evolving requirements of patients would be key to their relevance in future

Solid dosage forms such as tablets, capsules, pills, powders etc. are among the most commonly used pharmaceuticals to treat various ailments. Since ages, they have been a reliable and preferred route to administer medications and generate the preferred pharmacological response.

Yet, with changing consumer demands, advent and progress of newer dosage forms and ever evolving regulations, it has become imperative to re-examine the current products and processes in solid dosage forms. To keep pace with the advancements of the pharma industry and meet the requirements of the present and the future, they will also have to continuously evolve and transform.

(L-R) Brij Motwani, Vice President & Cluster Head USI Operations, Cadila Healthcare; Dr Hemant Koshia, Commissioner, FDCA Gujarat, Shirish Belapure, MD, Zydus Hospira Oncology; Naresh Gaur, Vice President Operations, Amneal Pharmaceuticals; Dr Shirish Dhande, Ex-CEO, ACG Pharma Technologies; and Manish Chauhan, Associate Vice President, Intas Pharma

Therefore, it is essential to keep refining this dependable and convenient way to administer drugs through innovation. And, this would involve deployment of novel materials and new age manufacturing processes. Hence, the professionals involved in formulation R&D and manufacturing of solid dosage forms have to constantly update their skills and stay informed on the evolving trends, and advancements in this arena.

Therefore, Express Pharma and ACG recently organised a panel discussion on ‘Continually evolving solid dosage forms,’ second in a series of Knowledge Exchanges on this subject. The first one, titled ‘Reinventing Pharma Tabletting, was held earlier this year. Check out the learnings from that discussion at http://www.expressbpd.com/ pharma/cover-story/reinventing-pharma-tabletting/400284/.

This time around, an eminent panel reviewed the progress in solid dosage forms and ascertained that technological advancements are steering newer approaches in the development of these medications.

Dr Shirish Belapure, Managing Director, Zydus Hospira Oncology, the moderator for the discussion very effectively established the relevance and importance of solid dosage forms for the pharma industry today. He informed that solid dosage forms are very important because of their dose accuracy, high stability, cost efficiency and patient compliance.

In the course of the discussion, while several crucial aspects were discussed, the panelists also established that as solid dosage forms continue to evolve, technology will be a major enabler of future progress in this field, creating significant impact in some crucial areas. Let’s examine a few of them.