ACTIVE PHARMACEUTICAL INGREDIENTS (API)
API's are typically produced by extraction or chemical syntheses.
Following crystallization, the material is mechanically separated and then
dried. These steps can often be replaced by spray drying which can control the
humidity or residual solvent content, as well as create materials with a
tailor-made particle size distribution and a dominant amount of amorphous
material.
FINISHED DRUG PRODUCTS
Finished
drug products are produced by mixing/blending API with excipients (polymers,
fine chemicals, etc.), solvents and others according to a specific formulation,
after which one or several process stages follow until the final dosage form is
reached.