DOCTOR OF PHARMACY

Experiments performed in the pharmaceutical chemistry lab include:

• Preparation/synthesis of various organic compounds and drugs
• Identification of unknown organic compounds
• Biochemistry Experiments including identification tests of Proteins, Carbohydrates, and Lipids
• Analysis of urine (sugar, albumin, ketones)
• Titrimetric analysis of various drugs
• Spectrophotometric analysis of various drugs.
• Determination of molecular weights and the number of carboxylic acid groups in organic compounds.
• Discussion on synthesis, medicinal, and stereochemistry of different drugs.

In a Pharmaceutics lab, experiments mainly include:

• Physical Pharmacy Experiments like density & surface tension measurement, viscosity determination, partition coefficient, pH and buffer preparation etc.
• Preparation of Liquid Dosage Forms like syrups (simple syrup, medicated syrup), elixirs, suspensions and emulsions (oil-in-water, water-in-oil).
• Preparation of Semisolid Dosage Forms like ointments, creams (o/w and w/o), gels and pastes.
• Preparation of Solid Dosage Forms like powders (bulk & divided), granules, tablets etc.
• Extraction & Pharmaceutical Processing of active ingredients (maceration, percolation), size reduction (comminution), sieving and particle size separation.
• Dosage Calculations & Compounding.
• Aseptic techniques demonstration.
• Dissolution & Drug Release Studies
• Stability Studies etc.

In a Pharmacognosy lab, experiments focus on the identification, evaluation, and analysis of crude drugs from natural sources (plants, animals, minerals). Following are the main types:

• Morphological (Macroscopic) Evaluation of crude drugs using naked eye
• Microscopic Evaluation of internal structures using microscope including
  • Transverse sections (T.S.) of plant parts (leaf, stem, root)
  • Powder microscopy (starch grains, fibers, vessels, trichomes)
• Chemical Tests (Phytochemical Screening) for identification of active constituents using reagents
• Extraction Techniques like maceration, percolation, soxhlet extraction, decoction & infusion
• Chromatography Techniques for separation and identification of compounds employing Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) and Paper chromatography
• Study of Herbal Formulations like powders, tinctures, extracts

Microbiology Experiments include use of microscope, preparation of culture media, antimicrobial assays, microbial enumeration (counting), sterilization techniques (autoclaving), bacterial staining (Gram staining), identification of microorganisms etc.

In a Pharmaceutical Industry lab, experiments simulate large-scale manufacturing, production processes, and industrial quality practices. The focus is on how medicines are actually made in factories. These experiments include:

• Tablet Manufacturing (Pilot Scale), Mixing, Wet granulation method, Dry granulation (slugging/roller compaction), Direct compression etc.
• Evaluation of Dosage Forms
  • Tablets: hardness, friability, disintegration time
  • Capsules: weight variation
  • Liquids: viscosity, pH, sedimentation
  • Semisolids: spreadability, extrudability
• Capsule Filling Operations
  • Manual capsule filling
  • Study of capsule shell types (hard/soft – demo)
  • Evaluation (weight variation)
• Liquid Manufacturing including Syrups, suspensions, emulsions (batch preparation)
• Use of mixers and homogenizers (demo)
• Semisolid Manufacturing including preparation of Ointments, Creams, Gels etc
• Size Reduction & Mixing like milling (ball mill, hammer mill – demo), sieving and particle size analysis, industrial blending techniques etc.
• Coating of Tablets including Sugar coating and Film coating (pan coater).
• Monitoring during manufacturing of tablet weight, hardness, thickness and disintegration etc.

In a Pharmaceutical Instrumentation lab (Pharm. D curriculum under the Pharmacy Council of Pakistan), experiments focus on analytical techniques and instruments used to identify, quantify, and ensure the quality of drugs. The emphasis is on working principles, operation, calibration, and applications of instruments. These experiments include:

• Spectrophotometry (UV–Visible)
• Determination of drug concentration using UV–Vis spectrophotometer
• Preparation of calibration curve (Beer-Lambert law)
• λ_max (maximum absorbance) determination
• Identification and isolation of drugs in mixtures using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).

In the Computer Lab, practical exercises are focused on data handling, research skills, pharmaceutical software, and basic bioinformatics rather than wet lab work.