Drug formulation

Drug formulation is the multi-stage pharmaceutical process by which different chemical substances, including the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), are combined with various inactive excipients to create a final medicinal product (FDA, 2023). It is not a biological target, such as a receptor, enzyme, or transporter, but rather a technical discipline within pharmaceutical science (NCBI StatPearls, 2023). The primary objective of formulation is to ensure the drug is stable, safe, and effectively delivered to the intended site of action within the body (ScienceDirect, 2022). Formulation dictates the physical form of the drug—such as tablets, capsules, or injectables—and significantly influences its pharmacokinetic profile, including solubility and absorption (EMA, 2021). For biotech analysts, understanding formulation is crucial for evaluating drug delivery efficiency and the potential for clinical success, though it should not be confused with the molecular mechanism of action against a disease target (AAPS, 2021).

Other names

Pharmaceutical formulationDosage form designDrug delivery systemGalenics

Not applicable (process, not a molecular target)