Reviewing Current Practice in Powder Testing

The pharmaceutical industry is seeking to transform manufacturing efficiency through smarter process development and improved operational control. Implementation of the Process Analytical Technology (PAT) initiative, alongside Quality by Design, supports this transformation but draws attention to the relevance of traditional analytical techniques. This is especially the case for powder testing which underpins the success of many pharmaceutical manufacturing steps. Here, Jamie Clayton, Operations Director of Freeman Technology, reviews the strengths and weaknesses of a range of powder testing methods, including those set out in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia and assesses their role in supporting modern pharmaceutical manufacture.