Pharmaceutical Technology: Controlled Drug Release, Volume 2

Preface
This book is a companion volume to Pharmaceutical Technology: Controlled Drug Release,
Volume 1, edited by M.H.Rubinstein and published in 1987. It focused on the different types of
polymeric materials used in controlled release. This book extends these concepts to include drug
properties, design and optimization, coating, the effect of food and pharmacokinetics. It also
reflects the growing interest in biodegradable polymers in oral and topical formulations and the
use of sterile implants.
The chapters are selected from the papers presented at two Pharmaceutical Technology
Conferences: Monte Carlo in 1989 and Veldhoven, The Netherlands, in 1990 and reflect the
current state of the art. Chapters 1–8 deal with matrix systems and 9 to 11 with multiparticulate
formulations. Chapters 12, 13 and 14 examine opportunities with biodegradable polymers. While
the oral route remains the major application, topical (Chapter 8), ophthalmics (Chapters 15–16)
and implants (Chapters 16 and 17) are also discussed.
While new drugs continue to possess advantageous therapeutic profiles but poor
pharmacokinetics with short half-lives, controlled release will continue to demand pharmaceutical
skill. The increasing number of biological peptide drugs will increase this demand still further.
This book will provide a wide-ranging cornucopia from which experience and new ideas can be
distilled. Indeed:
A little of what you fancy does you good.
Marie Lloyd 1870–1922
James I.Wells
Cotherstone
May 1991