ABSTRACT
The pharmaceutical sector tends to pay more attention to the development of products rather than to the means of producing these products. Raw materials and intermediates are initially mixed in a solvent, and then brought to the appropriate temperature and pressure. They are held in this state for the appropriate time to form the desired product. The product is crystallized from solution, separated by centrifugation or filtration and dried. The substances involved in production are extremely diverse. Many are flammable and toxic. Waste is produced at each step of the product synthesis. Pharmaceuticals, as health-care products, are subject to regulation in excess of the normal workplace safety and environmental controls. Fermentation is the basic production method for most of the products. In this process selected micro-organisms are cultured in large, closed fermentation tanks using agricultural products as nutrients. Environmental concern continues as a process matures with production experience.
