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.