Duties Of Pharmacist In Tablet Section

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The pharmaceutical industry is the unit where different dosage forms are prepared from the basic raw materials and are tested to ensure that the products produced are of good quality and fit for use.

Different types of manufacturing Sections like tablet manufacturing, syrup manufacturing, sterile manufacturing and semisolid manufacturing are present in the pharmaceutical industry.

Here we will discuss the duties or jobs performed by the Pharmacists in the tablet manufacturing department.

Pharmacist In Tablet Manufacturing

The tablet manufacturing department is one of the most important and basic sections present in pharmaceutical industries where different types of tablets are manufactured using powdered materials.

The tablet manufacturing department is further divided into three subsections which are as follows,

  • Granulation

  • Compression

  • Coating

Granulation Section

The granulation section is the place or area where powders are converted into granules.Powders can be converted into granules by two methods one is wet granulation & the other is dry granulation.

Duties Of Pharmacist In Granulation Area

Working in the Granulation area is a very critical job because technical processing is done in this area so full-time supervision of a Pharmacist is required during all the stages of granulation.

The main duties of Pharmacist working in the granulation area are as follows,

  • Award line clearance and ensure that all the equipment and area is properly cleaned.

  • Check the weight of all the ingredients during line clearance and then later on before starting each step of granulation.

  • Intimate quality assurance department for line clearance.

  • Ensure that during the pre-sieving step the proper mesh is used.

  • Observe the endpoint of granulation to ensure that all the powders are converted into granules.

  • Ensure that the proper sieve is installed in a wet mill for wet sieving according to the BMR.

  • During the drying step ensure that all the parameters of drying are according to the Batch manufacturing record and LOD is within limits.

  • Calculating the yield after drying plays a role to minimize the line loss during the drying process so pharmacists should check the weight after drying stage.

  • Monitoring of the dry sieving process to ensure that proper mesh is installed in the granulator.

  • For final blending, the order of mixing is as mentioned in the BMR.

  • Check the weight of the bulk removed from the blender and calculate yield.

  • Ensure that the batch after granulation is properly stored in the storage area.

  • Ensure that the area is timely ready for the granulation of the next product by performing minor or major cleaning according to the SOP.

Duties Of Pharmacists In Tablet Compression Area

When the Powders are converted into granules, the next step is to convert granules into tablets by the process of compression.

Apart from wet and dry granulation methods, another method used for tablet manufacturing is the direct compression method in which powders are directly compressed after mixing or blending.

The main duties of Pharmacist in the compression area are as follow,

  • Ensure timely line clearance to start compress operation.

  • During line clearance check that the tooling used to compress powders or granules is according to the batch manufacturing record.

  • Check that the required batch weight is according to the BMR and is accurate.

  • Intimate quality assurance department to award line clearance.

  • Perform hardness and thickness testing to ensure that it’s according to BMR.

  •  Check weight variation to ensure that it’s according to the limits mentioned in the batch manufacturing record.

  • Provide samples for disintegration & friability testing.

  • Start the compression process when all the parameters are within range and go-ahead is awarded by the quality assurance department.

  • The in-process checking is performed during all the compression processes to ensure that all parameters are within limits.

  • Physical checking of tablets is done by the Pharmacist to ensure that there is no sticking or picking on the tablet surface. 

  • At the end of the compression process check the weight of the compressed batch and calculate the yield.

  • Properly store the compressed batch in the storage area.

  • After completion of one product ensure proper cleaning of the machine & tooling to compress other products according to the requirements.

  • Also ensure the timely maintenance of the machine to reduce breakdown.

  • The tooling record is also maintained by the Pharmacist working in the table compression area.

  • Physical inspection of tooling and proper lubrication of machine & tooling is also ensured by the pharmacist.

Job Duties Of Pharmacist In Tablet Coating Area

The coating section is the area where a layer of coating is applied to the tablets depending on the requirements to mask the taste and protect the tablets from environmental effects.

Tablet Coating is a critical job and it depends on the expertise of the operator so critical monitoring is required during the coating operation.

The pharmacist working in the coating area should have the following responsibilities,

  • Assure that the area and coating equipment is clean and ready for line clearance.

  • Award line clearance by checking the weight of all the ingredients.

  • The volume of solvents is also measured and cross-checked by the Pharmacist.

  • Intimate quality assurance Pharmacist to award line clearance.

  • Start the coating operation according to the parameters mentioned in the batch manufacturing record or BMR.

  • Check the weight gain and physical condition of the tablets after specified time intervals.

  • Adjust pan speed,  tablet bed temperature and spray rate to ensure the smooth running of the tablet coating operation.

  • After completion of the coating process, calculate the weight gain and remove the tablets from the coating pan after temperature normalization.

  • Weigh the coated batch and calculate yield or line loss.

  • Intimate the quality assurance department for collecting the samples from the coated batch.

  • Store the batch in the storage area.

Random Responsibilities

Apart from the above-mentioned responsibilities some key duties are also included in his/her job descriptions which are as follows,

  • Take part in the manufacturing of validation batches.

  • Take part in the qualification of the area or equipment.

  • Ensure that all the devices & equipment are validated & calibrated.

  • Ensure that HVAC is working properly in all areas to maintain temperature & humidity and also to prevent cross-contamination.

  • Training of operators & other working staff.

  • Maintenance of personal hygiene record.

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