Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Detection Using Spectrophotometers: An Investment that Pays Off

NIR spectroscopy has many various applications in the pharmaceutical industry, including impurity analysis and color-coding technology.
Image Source: Flickr user Rennett Stowe

Knowing the active pharmaceutical ingredients in your over-the-counter and prescription medications is a must in today’s health care industry. Mistakes in prescriptions, miscalculated doses, and drug interactions are all genuine concerns in a world where drug choices and options continue to increase and change on a regular basis. More than ever before, pharmacies and pharmaceutical companies must have a way to accurately measure active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) amounts and consistently monitor these levels to meet regulatory standards and ensure patient safety. Spectrophotometric analysis in pharmacology provides an efficient and cost-effective way to measure active pharmaceutical ingredient levels, plus its non-destructive method of analysis exceeds many alternative methods.

The ability to accurately quantify and detect the active pharmaceutical ingredients in medications is becoming increasingly important in order to ensure proper dosage and avoid potentially dangerous drug interactions. Image Source: Flickr user epSos .de

The benefits of NIR spectroscopy in pharmaceuticals

Many various technologies are available to assist in the monitoring of pharmaceutical medications, but NIR (near infrared) spectroscopy is by far the most cost-effective, reliable, and easy-to-use method available. NIR spectrophotometers provide an overall approach to quality control and effectively deliver quantifiable active pharmaceutical ingredient measurements.

Several factors make NIR instrumentation invaluable in pharmaceutical chemistry laboratory monitoring of API compounds. NIR spectroscopy demonstrates an effective signal-to-noise ratio, which helps chemists understand the properties of the medicine and identify unknown or impure compounds. NIR is also one of the most affordable types of spectroscopy, making it a good investment and allowing for other research opportunities in your laboratory budget. Not only is NIR effective in active pharmaceutical ingredient and compound analysis, but it is also used frequently for color-coding technology and for monitoring uniformity in color coatings.

Technology investments for a global market

Spectroscopy has become a world recognized method for pharmaceutical production analysis and meets the global requirements of the WHO (World Health Organization) and NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) International. Spectrophotometric analysis of medications is also an approved method of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) for API detection and labeling. These regulations require the highest level of technology to meet quality and product safety standards. Originally developed by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) to make chemical analysis faster and easier, NIR spectroscopy has since been modified and perfected to meet a variety of analytical needs.

Making the investment in advanced NIR instrumentation is a cost effective way to meet pharmaceutical quality and safety regulations. Image Source: Flickr user Images Money

Spectrophotometers today are designed to be rugged and portable, and quality instrumentation can outlast the rigorous use of a variety of laboratory applications. The investment in advanced spectrophotometric technology can save time and money and helps to ensure that your company is viable and competitive in an extensive global market. With the technology available today, there is no excuse for error in active pharmaceutical ingredient analysis or mistakes that result in dangerous drug interactions or dosage errors. For expert advice and more information on various instrumentation options, contact HunterLab to see how our commitment to color technology can make a difference.