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UM Scientists Find New Use for Nearinfrared Spectroscopy: Pill Quality Scientists at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy have successfully used near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR), a method already used to test farm product quality, to predict how quickly pills dissolve in the body. The experiments could lead to cost savings for drug makers and more consistency in the quality of pills, said Dr. Stephen W. Hoag, a professor of pharmaceutical sciences at the School of Pharmacy. In a study published last month in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics, Hoag and his colleagues used NIR to accurately predict the dissolution rate of a matrix-type controlled release tablet. Matrix tablets release their medication from the inside controlled by physical polymers that slow the process.
NIR technology measures properties of materials using part of the infrared portion of the light spectrum. It has widespread use in quality measurements in crop production, forage, fruits, food processing, baking products, timber, meats and non-food agriculture. In the 1990s, it began to show up in the pharmaceutical industry. The technology is especially useful in analyzing pills because it responds to both chemical and physical properties. Hoag said the technology accurately predicted how quickly matrix pills of the drug thiophylline dissolve, which gives an indication of its dissolution rate in the human body.
“This is a fundamental change because the drug industry used to In 2008, the team successfully tested NIR technology on coated tab- test a pill for dissolution, then send a sample for analysis to a wet lets that release slowly because of compounds in the coating. The lab,” says Hoag. “Now with near-infrared, high-speed computers team develops systematic methods for formulating controlled and and software, you can get information in real time. So instead of evaluating each step and waiting three days for samples to come immediate release tablets. back, it is instant. It impacts inventory, materials, space for storage “This may be a very narrow topic, but I think it will someday have and shortens the manufacturing time—all things that have financial huge implications for pharmacy, as [NIR] can also do ID testing, implications.” that is, it would relieve pharmacists of the need to routinely inspect Hoag said in the competitive pharmaceutical industry, cost savings every prescription,” said Hoag. with NIR identification could trickle down to the patient. Although Using NIR for identifying ingredients in pills will also help regula- the profit margin on the average pharmaceutical is often very high, tors. “For identification testing, anytime you bring in a material in a small cost savings in production with NIR testing may make a difthe drug making process, the FDA wants real data proving that the ference to companies as they produce more complex biologics, or material really is that material.” He said it may be possible to use the biology-based, therapies. new technology to avert consumer disasters such as the tainting of cough medications in 2006.
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academic Pharmacy now Apr/May/Jun 2010
Diary of a PharmCAS Super-User Since April 2009, Academic Pharmacy Now has featured a series of diary entries from a PharmCAS Super-User, documenting their experience from the launch of the program to present time. Can you guess to whom the diary belongs? Use these clues to help you, then turn to page 25 to discover the author!