MPharm Master of Pharmacy Master of Pharmacy: Pharmaceutical Technology and Drug Delivery Systems 2

Question 1

Which transdermal drug delivery parameter measures the maximum rate of drug flux across a unit area of skin?

Accepted Answer

Steady-state flux (Jss)

Answer

Steady-state flux (Jss) is the maximum rate of drug permeation per unit area of skin under a constant concentration gradient, determined by Fick's first law of diffusion.

Question 2

In spray drying of pharmaceutical powders, what is the primary variable that controls final particle size?

Accepted Answer

Atomization pressure or nozzle tip speed

Answer

Atomization conditions (pressure for two-fluid nozzles or rotational speed for rotary atomizers) determine initial droplet size, which directly controls the final dry particle size.

Question 3

Which release profile is described as 'zero-order' drug release?

Accepted Answer

Release rate is constant and independent of drug concentration

Answer

Zero-order release means a constant amount of drug is released per unit time regardless of remaining drug concentration, which is ideal for maintaining steady plasma levels.

Question 4

What is the purpose of the 'pore former' component added to ethylcellulose membrane coatings on pellets?

Accepted Answer

To dissolve and create micropores that control drug permeation

Answer

Water-soluble pore formers (e.g., HPMC, PVP) dissolve upon contact with aqueous media, creating channels in the otherwise impermeable ethylcellulose membrane through which drug can diffuse.

Question 5

In the preparation of microspheres by solvent evaporation, which method is used when the drug is dissolved in the polymer solution?

Accepted Answer

Single emulsion (O/W) solvent evaporation

Answer

For hydrophobic drugs soluble in an organic solvent, the drug-polymer solution is emulsified in an aqueous continuous phase (O/W), and solvent is evaporated to harden the polymer microspheres.

MPharm Master of Pharmacy Practice Test

MPharm Master of Pharmacy Practice Test

MPharm Master of Pharmacy Master of Pharmacy: Pharmaceutical Technology and Drug Delivery Systems 2