Application of MacroFLUX™ Apparatus for Screening Formulations before Bioequivalence Studies

For generic drug development traditional (USP) dissolution tests have been used in the pharmaceutical industry to compare performance of different drug product formulations before or instead of conducting bioequivalence studies. Although dissolution tests provide a simple way of testing formulations, the in vivo predictive power of these tests are questionable. Namely, when a poorly water-soluble API is formulated to enhance its dissolution, additives, such as surfactants and polymers have an effect not only on dissolution profile, but also on flux through the membrane. The aim of this study was to represent the importance of simultaneous dissolution-absorption studies using MacroFLUX apparatus before conducting bioequivalence studies.