The challenging task of Formulation and Technical Development is to design and develop the best possible formulations for new or existing active drug molecules and to design and develop the processes needed to manufacture them. Essential requirements as regards bioavailability, stability and technical feasibility have to be taken into account. Only when acceptable solutions have been found for all three aspects can the product be made into a marketable commodity. A wide range of activities is open to pharmacists within Formulation and Technical Development. The key areas are as follows:

• Research support
• Analytics and preformulation
• Formulation development
• Manufacture of clinical trial preparations
• Clinical supply
• Packaging development
• Formulation process development and scaling-up
• Technical regulatory affairs

Starting a career in Formulation and Technical Development

As a pharmacist with a PhD you will have a solid grounding in at least one of the above-mentioned areas and should ideally have post-doctoral experience. You will be initiated on the job. As a laboratory manager you will be responsible for one or more research or development projects depending on the specific area in which you are working. You will represent your project in interdisciplinary, local or international project teams.

Your prospects in Formulation and Technical Development

Your opportunities for development will arise from taking on responsibility for major projects as a project coordinator, as the head of one or more specialist groups or by qualifying as a scientific expert in one of the specialist areas. The experience you gain will also qualify you for tasks in other areas, for example in pharmaceutical production, quality assurance, regulatory affairs or project or supply chain management, e.g. as head of a Technical Development & Supply Team.