Applications of thermal analysis in the pharmaceutical industry

Thermal analysis includes all methods measuring some parameter during the heating of a sample. Differential scanning calorimetry (or differential thermal analysis) where the parameter is heat flow into and out of the sample and thermogravimetry where the parameter is the weight change of the sample are of great value for the pharmaceutical industry. Characterisation of drug substance, excipients, and packaging material: identification, purity, polymorphism, solvation, stability, ..., may be routinely done. Further examples demonstrating the use of these methods for the development of the dosage form are given: choice of the salt form, phase-diagrams, drug substance-excipient interactions, physical changes on processing or during storage, and even analysis of the dosage form.