Master of Pharmacy: Pharmaceutical Formulations and Dosage Forms Flashcards
7 cards from real MPharm Master of Pharmacy practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Master of Pharmacy: Pharmaceutical Formulations and Dosage Forms flashcards as text
Which sterilization method is preferred for heat-sensitive parenteral formulations and is validated by sterility assurance level (SAL) of 10⁻⁶?
Answer: Aseptic filtration through 0.22 µm membrane
Aseptic filtration through a validated 0.22 µm filter removes microorganisms from heat-sensitive solutions, achieving SAL 10⁻⁶ when combined with aseptic filling.
In nanotechnology-based drug delivery, which system consists of a drug-loaded solid lipid core stabilized by surfactants?
Answer: Solid lipid nanoparticle (SLN)
SLNs comprise a solid lipid matrix (solid at body temperature) that entraps drug and is stabilized by surfactant shell, offering controlled release and physical stability.
Accelerated stability studies (40 °C/75% RH for 6 months) are used under ICH Q1A guidelines primarily to:
Answer: Predict long-term stability and identify potential degradation products in less time
Accelerated conditions speed degradation kinetics, allowing early prediction of stability profile, though real-time data are required for official shelf-life claims.
Which rheological property describes a material that flows when stress exceeds a yield value but behaves as a solid below it — important for semisolid formulations?
Answer: Plastic (Bingham) behavior
Plastic flow (Bingham body) requires a minimum yield stress before flow begins, characteristic of structured semisolids like certain ointments and gels.
Poorly water-soluble drugs formulated as nanosuspensions exhibit enhanced dissolution primarily due to:
Answer: Increased surface area-to-volume ratio as particle size decreases to nanometer range
Reducing particle size to the nanometer range dramatically increases surface area, accelerating dissolution rate according to the Noyes-Whitney equation.
In quality by design (QbD) for pharmaceutical development, the term 'design space' refers to:
Answer: The multidimensional combination of input variables within which quality is assured
The design space defines the ranges of process parameters and material attributes within which the product consistently meets its quality target product profile (QTPP).
Mucoadhesive drug delivery systems use polymers such as carbopol and chitosan primarily to:
Answer: Increase residence time at mucosal surfaces by adhering to the mucus layer
Mucoadhesive polymers form non-covalent bonds (hydrogen bonds, electrostatic interactions) with mucin glycoproteins, prolonging contact time and improving drug absorption.