Knowledge of pharmaceutics makes pharmacists unique
In his lecture «Compaction of granular solids and implications for the formulation and manufacturing of tablets” Professor Göran Alderborn elaborated how knowledge of particle properties and technical processes in production of pharmaceuticals is important for how the medicines work therapeutically. Knowledge which is crucial in the education of pharmacists and make them an important and irreplaceable brick in the society, Professor Alderborn emphasized.
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Professor Alderborn focused on physical and technical properties of tablets, and how they can be controlled to give a more predictable product, in terms of tensile strength and speed of drug release. His research has shown that different forms of compression affects both these properties, and can be used as a process control tool in the production of tablets. Pharmaceutics contains elements of physics, chemistry and medicine, making it an exciting area for research, Professor Alderborn explained.
Both students and staff participated at the guest lecture, given by one of the leading researchers within pharmaceutics. It must have been extra exciting for the pharmacy students, as they soon are going to use this knowledge to advise authorities, the industry and patients about production and safe use of medicines. Knowledge of how a tablet comes to be, and how to control the process to yield a reliable product, is crucial in the education of pharmacists, Professor Alderborn explained. We use this knowledge to develop medicines which are effective in therapeutical doses, and at the same time safe and easy for the patients to administer. Together with physiology, pharmacology and communication, to mention a few, this builds the foundation for the pharmacy education, and also makes pharmacists a unique group of professionals – contributing knowledge no one else can.
