Book excerpt: Pharmaceutical science deals with the whole spectrum of drug development from start to finish. There are many different facets to the pharmaceutical industry, from initial research to the finished product, including the equipment used, trials performed, and regulations that must be followed. Presenting an overview of all of these different aspects, the Encyclopedia of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Fourth Edition is a must-have reference guide for all laboratories and libraries in the pharmaceutical field. Bringing together leaders from every specialty related to pharmaceutical science and technology, this is the single-source reference at the forefront of pharmaceutical R&D. The strength of this work is not only its breadth but also the caliber of contributing writers, all experts in their field, writing on all aspects of pharmaceutical science and technology. The fourth edition offers 29 new chapters ranging from biomarkers, computational chemistry, and contamination control to high-throughput screening, orally disintegrating tablets, and quality by design. The encyclopedia details best practices of equipment used, methods for manufacturing, options for packaging, and routes for drug delivery. The volumes also provide a thorough understanding of the choices behind each method. In addition, the regulations, safety aspects, patent guidance, and methods of analysis are presented. Key Areas Covered: Analytics Biomarkers Dosage forms Drug delivery Formulation Informatics Manufacturing Packaging Processing Regulatory affairs Systems validation This is an authoritative reference source for those practicing in any area of pharmaceutical science and technology, enabling the pharmaceutical specialist and novice alike to keep abreast of developments in this constantly evolving and highly competitive field. * Online version coming soon. Contact us to inquire about subscription options and print/online combination packages. US: (Tel) 1.888.318.2367 / (E-mail) [email protected] International: (Tel) +44 (0) 20 7017 6062 / (E-mail) [email protected]