20^th International Conference and Exhibition on Pharmaceutics & Novel Drug Delivery Systems March 18-20, 2019 Edinburgh, Scotland

Andrea Gelain took a master degree in Pharmacy and a master degree in Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies. Worked for three years as a Pharmaceutical technologies researcher in Pharmaceutical Technologies department of the Milan Università degli Studi upon the formulation and preformulation of new conventional release and modified release solid dosage forms. Since 2016 works as Process Development Scientist and in R&D department in Freund-Vector Corporation.

Statement of the Problem: One of the main points of investigation to optimize a granulation is to precisely determine and monitor the process trend and the endpoint of each phase. The PAT systems give the possibility to operate a continuous, real-time process monitoring correlating the online response with the real measured parameters without the necessity of taking and separately analyze samples during process. The aim of this study was the feasibility to apply a NIR device to a fluid bed top spray granulation process to investigate the possibility to correlate the same NIR response to the moisture content and to the particle size distribution. Methods: A placebo formulation was granulated by top spray using a fluid bed (Freund-Vector VFC-Lab3) equipped with a Viavi MicroNIR PAT-U device. The spectrophotometer is connected to the fluid bed with a welded flange. Two runs were performed. The load of dry blend was adjusted for the equipment capacity to achieve appropriate product movement. LOD was determined at regular intervals (5 min) using a thermobalance (Mettler Toledo MJ33). Particle size distribution was also determined using a graphical imaging device (Sympatec QicPic). Data were analyzed starting with the principal component analysis to locate the process trend, then the values were correlated to the samples collected to produce a calibration curve. The correlation proved to be very strong. Conclusion & Significance: This study demonstrated the possibility to follow the process trend and to determine the phase endpoints both for moisture content and for particle size growth using a single PAT device. This could open up the possibility to apply this technology to other techniques, such as Wurster coating, fluid bed rotor powder layering and high shear granulation, and to implement a full integration of the NIR device with the machine software to get a complete automatic process control.

In developing countries, self-medication is commonly practiced. Current study was conducted in Rangamati, southern part of Bangladesh with the attempt to explore the practice of self-medication among the tribal people. Previously briefed 4th year medical students of Prime Medical College, Rangpur, Bangladesh, using a structured questionnaire, carried out the study on 88 respondents. 47.2% of studied population was Chakma. Out of 88, 53 respondents (60.1%) had taken some kind of self-medication in the 6-month period preceding the study. 102 drugs were consumed by 53 respondents and average number of drugs consumed by 53 respondents was 1.9 drugs per person. The common reasons given for self-medication were headache and fever. Paracetamol was the most commonly used drug for self-medication (43.4%). A significantly higher proportion of young (<40 years) male respondents had used self-medication than other groups. The study revealed that practice of self-medications common among the tribal population of the Rangamati. Patient education on self-medication is the need of the hour for ensuring rational use of drugs.

Dóra Farkas has obtained her MSc Degree as a Pharmacist at Semmelweis University Budapest, Hungary. Currently, she is doing her PhD in Pharmaceutical Technology at the Department of Pharmaceutics (Semmelweis University). She is doing researches in the field of pharmaceutical foams.

Pharmaceutical foams are active ingredients bearing colloid systems, where gas is dispersed in the continuous liquid phase. They are designed mainly for dermal application and several foam formulations are available also for vaginal and rectal use. Numerous advantages are attached to foams when compared to traditional vehicles, resulting in increased patient compliance. Amongst others, the suitable composition contributes to quick, oily residue-free and convenient application even on large or hairy areas, as well as for good drug transfer rate. While in aerosol cans creamy foams are formulated with propellant from emulsions, propellant free pump devices which enable the production of light textured foams from microemulsions. Aerosol foams can be evaluated by pharmacopoeial tests (Ph. Eur.), amongst which relative foam density determination is the only applicable for microemulsion foams. Aside from the traditional methods, based on physicochemical characterization (eg. density, viscosity, morphology), image analysis provides a new aspect for the classification of foams based on their structure. Photos taken after actuation hold information on bubble size and shape that can be used in the development of foam formulations. Bubble size is influenced by several parameters, like the composition of the foam formulation, the type and amount of surface active agent and also the liquid phase viscosity.

Jorge Galvez is Full Professor in Physical Chemistry and Director of the Molecular Topology and Drug Design Research Unit at the University of Valencia (Spain). He authored over 200 articles, 100 communications and 6 patents of new drugs designed or selected by molecular topology. He is member of the Spanish Royal Society of Chemistry, the Academy of Medicine of Valencia, the International Academy of Mathematical Chemistry (Founder Member), the European Academy of Mathematical Chemistry (Founder Member) and the Spanish Society of Green Chemistry. He has leaded the discovery of some 200 new hit-lead compounds in cancer, Alzheimer, malaria, etc.

Some species of fungi act as pathogens against both mammals and plants. The search for new effective antifungals against these pathogenic strains constitutes one of the priority objectives of the pharmaceutical and phyto sanitary industry, since deadly diseases may arise. However, the problems of the antifungals and fungicides currently available are basically two: On the one hand they are not exempt from toxicity to the host and on the other they generate resistance in more or less long terms. The objective of the present work is the search for new antifungals that follow new, more effective mechanisms of action with lower toxicity. This search is done by molecular topology, a method that has shown extraordinary efficacy in the design of new drugs. In this sense, the MOAs related to the inhibition of chitin formation of fungi are very attractive, among other reasons because some of them stimulate the immune system of the host, which is thus able to defend the host against the fungus. In addition, said MOAs are less susceptible to the development of resistance by fungi. As a result, a set of compounds potentially effective in the inhibition of chitin formation and of possible future utility as drugs and/or phyto sanitary products is proposed.