Pharmaceutical solid-state characterisation techniques

The solid state of a pharmaceutical material impacts on every aspect of its formulation; from solubility and thermodynamic stability to tabletability and flowability. Due to this fundamental connection characterising the solid state is key to providing the information necessary to reduce possible future manufacturing or formulation issues, which critically cuts drug product development costs and time. In this chapter a summary of the importance of the solid state and solid form screening in the pharmaceutical industry is presented. This is followed by an introduction to some of the solid state characterisation techniques routinely utilised in the pharmaceutical industry together with examples of the information provided by each.