Pharmaceutical analysis determines the purity, concentration, active compounds, shelf life, rate of absorption in the body, identity, stability, rate of release etc. of a drug. Testing a pharmaceutical product involves a variety of analyses, and the analytical processes described in this book are used in industries as diverse as food, beverages, cosmetics, detergents, metals, paints, water, agrochemicals, biotechnological products and pharmaceuticals.

The mathematics involved is notoriously difficult, but this much-praised textbook, now revised and updated for its fifth edition, guides a student through the complexities with clear writing and the author's expertise from many years' teaching pharmacy students. Two new chapters have been added to the new edition covering methods used in the quality control of biotechnologically produced drugs, and  electrochemical biosensors. There is continuous learning reinforcement throughout the book by way of worked calculation examples and self-assessment test questions.

New to this Edition

Two new chapters:

Chapter 16 Methods used in the quality control of biotechnologically produced drugs

Chapter 17 Electrochemical biosensors

Key Features

Worked calculation examples

Self-assessment

Additional problems (self tests)

Practical boxes

Key points boxes

Author Information

By David G. Watson, BSc, PhD, PGCE, Senior Lecturer in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Strathclyde Institute of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK