Laboratory Pharmaceutical Technology

Pharmaceutical technology as a field of pharmacy deals with the conversion of substances or mixtures of substances into therapeutically applicable dosage forms. The aim is always to achieve optimal efficacy, tolerability and stability. This includes the selection and application of suitable excipients, manufacturing techniques and packaging materials.

In the field of packaging science, the focus is on normative target group tests according to DIN EN ISO 17480, which are used to examine and conceptualise consumer packaging for ease of handling.

The Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Technology and Packaging Science is an engineering and technology laboratory where students complete the elective practical courses "Introduction to Pharmaceutical Formulation and Pharmacology" and "Pharmaceutical Technology". In addition, students of the Master's programme can take the courses "Advanced Chapters in Pharmaceutical Technology" and "Food Packaging and Transportation".

In laboratory practicals, students apply and deepen theoretical basics from the accompanying lectures. All practical courses are carried out according to guidelines for quality assurance of the production processes and environment in the production of medicinal products (Good Manufacturing Practice, GMP).

In the subject areas of drug formulation and pharmacology, students learn basic knowledge of pharmaceutical working techniques. In addition to liquid and semi-solid pharmaceutical forms such as drops, gels, pastes, ointments or creams, suppositories are also processed.

The process steps for the production and testing of solid dosage forms such as tablets or capsules are the focus of the area of pharmaceutical technology. For the methods and processes of drug development and production, the specifications of the European Pharmacopoeia (PhEur) for quality testing apply.

Further technological processes such as coating or encapsulation of particles - or melt extrusion, special drug forms such as retard drugs as well as biopharmacy also belong to the subject area of the in-depth chapters of pharmaceutical technology. The practical course has changing technological focuses, for example on the formulation of pharmaceutical forms or the release of active ingredients.

The topic area "Food Packaging and Transportation" deals with the life cycles of various packaging materials such as extraction, processing, use and return to the cycle. The focal points in this practical course change. One of them is target group testing according to DIN/EN ISO 17480 with a special focus on packaging technology issues.

The practical courses offered build on basic knowledge of process engineering and offer the opportunity to specialise in the field of pharmaceutical technology. For this purpose, fluidised bed and wet granulators, extruders, tablet presses, coaters and a packaging machine are available in addition to classic formulation tools. The laboratory is also equipped with the necessary devices and apparatus for quality testing of pharmaceutical forms according to the specifications of the European Pharmacopoeia.

In the laboratory, solid, semi-solid and liquid dosage forms can be produced on a formulation and laboratory scale and their quality tested according to the requirements of the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph.Eur.).

Further focal points of work are standardised target group tests and instrumental analyses on the easy opening and safe handling of consumer packaging:

• the communication of opening instructions and their perception by consumers.
• Developing formulations of solid dosage forms.

Up to 15 workplaces in internships are available for teaching.

A special feature of the laboratory: it specialises in testing the easy opening and safe handling of packaging. This gives it a unique selling point throughout Europe. So not only do students benefit from the possibilities offered by the high-quality equipped laboratory, but companies also access the expertise in Fulda.