PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURING Meaning and
Definition
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Pharmaceutical manufacturing refers to the process of producing medications or drugs on a large scale in specialized facilities called pharmaceutical manufacturing plants or pharmaceutical factories. It involves various stages and steps to ensure the quality, safety, and effectiveness of the final product.
The process begins with research and development, where scientists work on developing a new drug or improving an existing one. Once the drug formula is finalized, it goes through the pre-clinical testing phase, which involves laboratory and animal testing to determine its safety and efficacy.
After successfully passing pre-clinical testing, the drug undergoes clinical trials, which involve testing its effects and side effects on human volunteers. These trials are conducted in multiple phases and involve detailed monitoring and evaluation.
Once a drug is approved by regulatory authorities, the pharmaceutical manufacturing process begins. This process involves the synthesis or extraction of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) or chemicals that form the basis of the drug. These APIs are then combined with other components called excipients to produce the final pharmaceutical dosage form, such as tablets, capsules, injections, or syrups.
Pharmaceutical manufacturing also includes packaging, labeling, and quality control processes to ensure that the drugs comply with regulatory standards and meet the required specifications. The manufacturing plant must adhere to strict quality assurance and quality control protocols and follow good manufacturing practices (GMPs) to ensure the drugs' safety, purity, and potency.
Overall, pharmaceutical manufacturing is a highly regulated and complex process that requires expertise, precision, and adherence to strict quality standards to produce safe and effective medications for patients.
Etymology of PHARMACEUTICAL MANUFACTURING
The word "pharmaceutical" is derived from the Greek word "pharmakeia", meaning "use of drugs, potions, or medicines". The term "manufacturing" comes from the Latin word "manufactura", which means "making by hand" or "to create or make". Therefore, the etymology of "pharmaceutical manufacturing" can be understood as the process of creating or making drugs, medicines, or potions.
