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Explain the principles, methods and equipment of extraction, expression, filtration and distillation, and select an appropriate process for a given pharmaceutical material.
not yet covered
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Characterise pharmaceutical powders by particle size, surface area, density, porosity and flow, and relate these properties to processing and product performance.
not yet covered
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Explain the mechanisms of compaction and compression, lubrication, size reduction and drying, and their effects on product quality.
not yet covered
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Describe the principles of design, formulation and manufacture of granules, tablets, hard and soft capsules and powders, and solve common manufacturing problems.
not yet covered
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Describe, perform the calculations for, and interpret the quality-control tests used on solid dosage forms.
not yet covered
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Explain how drug release can be modified in a dosage form or device, and outline the principles of nanoparticle-based and other advanced drug delivery systems.
not yet covered
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Describe the functions and materials of pharmaceutical packaging and the factors that affect the packaging and storage of products, including in a hot, humid climate.
not yet covered
Pharmaceutics
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Explain the principles, methods and equipment of extraction, expression, filtration and distillation
not yet covered
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Characterise pharmaceutical powders by particle size, surface area, density, porosity and flow
not yet covered
-
Explain the mechanisms of compaction and compression, lubrication, size reduction and drying
not yet covered
-
Describe the principles of design, formulation and manufacture of granules, tablets, hard and soft capsules and powders
not yet covered
-
Describe, perform the calculations for, and interpret the quality-control tests used on solid dosage forms
not yet covered
-
Explain how drug release can be modified in a dosage form or device
not yet covered
-
Describe the functions and materials of pharmaceutical packaging and the factors that affect the packaging and storage of products
not yet covered
Extraction
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Define extraction (menstruum, marc) and explain the stages of solvent extraction from plant material: solvent penetration, dissolution of constituents and diffusion out of the tissue.
11 questions
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Explain the factors that govern the choice of extraction solvent (selectivity, polarity, safety, stability, cost), comparing water, ethanol and hydroalcoholic mixtures.
14 questions
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Describe and compare infusion, decoction, digestion and maceration (simple and multiple), and select the appropriate method for a given material.
16 questions
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Explain how particle size, temperature, agitation, solvent-to-material ratio and time affect the rate and completeness of extraction.
5 questions
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Describe percolation and compare it with maceration.
17 questions
Expression
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Define expression and describe its use to obtain fixed oils and juices from plant material.
17 questions
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Describe the construction and operation of the screw (expeller) press and the hydraulic press, and compare them.
13 questions
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Explain the factors that affect yield in expression (pre-treatment, moisture content, temperature, pressure).
12 questions
Filtration
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Define slurry, filtrate, filter medium, filter cake and filter aid, and describe the mechanisms of filtration.
13 questions
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Use Darcy's equation to explain how pressure difference, filter area, liquid viscosity, and cake thickness and permeability affect the rate of filtration.
5 questions
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Describe the types of filter media and filter aids, and select a medium for a given application.
6 questions
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Describe filtration equipment and select equipment for a given scale and slurry.
13 questions
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Explain the principles of ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis and their pharmaceutical applications.
14 questions
Distillation
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Describe vapour–liquid equilibrium in miscible binary systems using Raoult's and Dalton's laws.
14 questions
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Explain positive and negative deviations from Raoult's law and the formation of minimum- and maximum-boiling azeotropes.
14 questions
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Describe the behaviour of immiscible binary systems and the principle of steam distillation.
11 questions
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Describe simple and fractional distillation and their applications.
10 questions
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Describe flash distillation, distillation under reduced pressure and molecular (short-path) distillation.
12 questions
Particle size analysis and surface area (micromeritics)
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Explain why particle size matters in pharmaceutical products.
14 questions
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Define equivalent diameters and describe number, volume and mass distributions.
13 questions
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Describe the principle, size range, advantages and limitations of microscopy, sieving, sedimentation, electrical sensing zone method and laser light scattering.
24 questions
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Apply Stokes' law to calculate sedimentation velocity or Stokes' diameter.
14 questions
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Describe methods for measuring specific surface area and relate surface area to particle size.
15 questions
Bulk properties and flow of powders
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Define and calculate true, bulk and tapped density, porosity and void fraction.
13 questions
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Explain the interparticulate forces responsible for cohesion and how particle properties affect flow.
12 questions
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Describe and interpret measures of flowability: angle of repose, Carr's compressibility index, Hausner ratio, shear cell testing.
10 questions
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Describe ways of improving powder flow and explain how glidants act.
13 questions
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Describe the behaviour of powders in the fluidised state.
15 questions
Compaction, compression and lubrication
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Distinguish compression from consolidation and describe the stages of compaction.
15 questions
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Explain how deformation behaviour affects bonding and tablet strength.
10 questions
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Describe the measurement of punch forces in instrumented tablet presses.
9 questions
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Explain how force is transmitted through a powder mass.
5 questions
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Explain why lubrication is needed and describe common lubricants.
5 questions
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Evaluate lubricant efficiency from the R value and ejection force.
7 questions
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Apply the Heckel equation to distinguish plastic from brittle materials.
15 questions
Particle size reduction (comminution) and size separation
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Explain the reasons for size reduction and the mechanisms involved.
16 questions
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Describe the cutter, roller, hammer, ball and fluid-energy (jet) mills.
16 questions
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Describe size separation by sieving and classification.
12 questions
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State the energy laws of comminution (Rittinger, Kick, Bond).
14 questions
Drying
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Explain the mechanism of drying as simultaneous heat and mass transfer.
12 questions
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Interpret a drying-rate curve and calculate moisture content.
12 questions
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Explain the factors affecting drying rate and the problem of solute migration.
10 questions
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Describe tray, fluidised-bed, spray, vacuum, freeze and microwave dryers.
12 questions
Granulation
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Explain the reasons for granulation.
8 questions
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Describe the mechanisms of granule formation and growth.
19 questions
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Describe wet granulation: process steps, binders, equipment and end-point determination.
9 questions
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Describe dry granulation by slugging and roller compaction.
7 questions
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Compare wet granulation, dry granulation and direct compression.
16 questions
Tablets
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Describe the types of tablet with their advantages and limitations.
14 questions
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Describe the functions and examples of tablet excipients.
15 questions
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Explain disintegration mechanisms.
10 questions
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Describe the compression cycle on single-punch and rotary tablet presses.
16 questions
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Identify tablet manufacturing defects and explain their causes and remedies.
26 questions
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Describe the reasons for tablet coating, types of coating and common defects.
17 questions
Hard and soft gelatin capsules
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Compare hard and soft gelatin capsules: shell composition, manufacture, sizes.
12 questions
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Describe the formulation of hard-capsule fills and filling methods.
18 questions
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Describe the formulation of soft-capsule fills and incompatibilities.
8 questions
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Explain the effects of moisture and storage conditions on gelatin shells.
10 questions
Powders and granules as dosage forms
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Describe bulk and divided oral powders, dusting powders, powders for reconstitution and effervescent granules.
7 questions
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Explain the formulation of effervescent granules.
9 questions
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Describe the mechanisms of powder mixing and the causes of segregation.
20 questions
Quality control of solid dosage forms
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Describe the pharmacopoeial and non-pharmacopoeial tests for tablets and capsules.
11 questions
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Calculate and interpret test results: friability, uniformity of mass, tensile strength.
15 questions
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Describe dissolution apparatus, media and sink conditions.
7 questions
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Explain how formulation and process variables affect quality-control results.
14 questions
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Describe how quality control and good manufacturing practice assure product quality.
15 questions
Modified-release oral dosage forms
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Define and distinguish immediate, delayed, prolonged, controlled and pulsatile release.
11 questions
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Explain the rationale, advantages and limitations of modified-release products.
16 questions
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Describe the mechanisms used to control drug release.
9 questions
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Describe zero-order, first-order and Higuchi release kinetics.
18 questions
Advanced drug delivery systems and nanoparticles
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Outline the principles of advanced drug delivery systems.
17 questions
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Describe the main nanocarriers and their advantages.
12 questions
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Describe methods of preparing nanoparticles and their characterisation.
13 questions
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Distinguish passive targeting from active targeting.
7 questions
Packaging definitions, functions and storage conditions
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Define pharmaceutical packaging and its components.
10 questions
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Describe the functions of packaging.
10 questions
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Define pharmacopoeial container types and storage directions.
15 questions
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Explain the relevance of climatic zones to stability testing and packaging selection.
18 questions
Packaging materials and their selection
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Describe the characteristics, advantages and limitations of glass, plastics, metals and rubber closures.
7 questions
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Explain container–product interactions and how they are tested.
14 questions
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Describe blister and strip packs and select packaging for a moisture-sensitive product.
14 questions