ACTIVE PHARMACEUTICAL INGREDIENTS (API)
API's are typically produced by extraction or chemical syntheses. Following crystallisation, the material is mechanically separated and then dried. These steps can often be replaced by spray drying which can control the humidity or residual solvent content, as well as create materials with a tailormade particle size distribution and a dominant amount of amorphous material.
FURTHER READING:
FINISHED DRUG PRODUCTS
Finished drug products are produced by mixing/blending API with excipients (polymers, fine chemicals, etc.), solvents and others according to a specific formulation, after which one or several process stages follow until the final dosage form is reached.