ABSTRACT
Probably, the most important aspect of pharmaceutical formulation development is the
selection of suitable excipients that would assist in providing the intended use of the final
dosage form. The inert ingredients can profoundly influence the properties of the dosage form,
especially when the drug concentration is small. In selecting excipients, finding accurate and comparable information on the physicochemical properties, uniformity, purity, and safety of
excipients in a reliable reference source is highly critical for the formulation scientists. This
type of information and the existence of standard test methods to measure such properties are
important to assure consistent quality and functioning of different excipients as well as
one excipient from lot-to-lot. When the dosage form is a tablet, as it is the case for a majority of
the products on the market today, it is possible to add to the crucial information list above the
assessment and comparison of the compaction behavior of the inactive ingredients.
