A strategy for population pharmaceutical quality assessment based on quality by design

Cylindrical granules in the development of mesalazine solid formulations (Ⅱ): The contribution of high aspect ratio to favorable tabletability

Recently, cylindrical granules have been applied in pharmaceutical fields and their aspect ratio (AR) is considered an important factor in the manufacturing process. However, the relationships between AR and the tableting process were seldom reported. This study aims to clarify the role of AR in the tableting process of cylindrical granules. First, mesalazine cylindrical granules with different AR were extruded, and their physical attributes were then comprehensively characterized. Subsequently, their compression behaviors and tableting performances were systematically assessed. Notably, it was found that the cylindrical granules with high AR possessed good anti-deformation capacity and favorable tabletability. Finally, the dissolution test suggested that tablets compressed from cylindrical granules with higher AR showed lower dissolution rates. Collectively, findings in this study identified that the AR of cylindrical granules was a critical factor in the tableting process and provided valuable guidance for the application of these granules in oral solid formulations.

Research on storage stability differences between ceftriaxone sodium products

The conditions and mechanisms leading to stability differences between ceftriaxone sodium products were examined to ensure drug quality and efficacy. We used a combination of powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis to examine the differences between preparations for injection from different pharmaceutical processes to elucidate the changed processes by exposing samples to different humidity and high-temperature conditions. Water loss or absorption due to varying environmental humidity levels did not adversely affect the crystal structure, but could lead to the reversible redistribution of hepta-hydrate in the unit cell of generic products, causing its stability change. The irreversible distribution of hydrate may occur when generic drugs stored at 25 °C, whereas the brand-name products remained stable at 40 °C. Therefore, generic ceftriaxone sodium and its powder preparations would be acceptable by better controlled sealing and storing under cool conditions during storage period to meet the efficacy and stability.

Quality control and consistency evaluation of ceftriaxone sodium for injection

Ceftriaxone sodium for injection is an antibiotic used clinically. Here, we developed a strategy for evaluating the consistency of ceftriaxone sodium for injection. Comparison of the quality of the generic and original raw materials, and analysis of the production process revealed that the quality of the ceftriaxone sodium raw material is the most important factor affecting the quality of preparation, while the ceftriaxone sodium crystallization process is the key factor affecting the quality of raw materials. The solution clarity of the formulation, another key aspect, was addressed by controlling the leachable components found in the rubber closures used in the packaging. The time to achieve therapeutic efficacy of the preparation could be preliminarily evaluated by evaluating the rate of salt formation and the protein binding rate. Finally, the results of the tests (including water, pH, impurity profile and solution clarity) and assay were compared with the original preparation. On this basis, the critical quality attributes (CQAs) that reflect the quality of the product could be determined and a strategy for evaluating ceftriaxone sodium for injection was developed.