ABSTRACT
Technology is constantly advancing to improve efficiency and lessen overall cost. Therefore, it is incumbent on the pharmaceutical development scientist to be aware of and become proficient in the use of these new technologies. Although aqueous film coating has been employed in pharmaceutical development for several years, the use of the technology to enhance the performance of drugs to optimize delivery from dosage forms will forever be an emerging application due to the fact that no two drug molecules will have the same physicochemical properties. Thus, to achieve the desired results, formulations and processes must be tailored to the specific drug entity and dosage form. The term “enabling technologies” has become part of the conversation during the drug development process. These are the technologies that are being applied to enhance the properties of drugs ranging from enhancing stability to improving absorption in order to improve the pharmacological outcome. Modifying drug release by applying aqueous filmcoating technology to achieve optimum therapeutic benefits can be considered an enabling technology.
