Production Interview Questions – Formulation OSD

These interview questions are beneficial for your interview preparation. So read all the questions to determine your interest. These questions are mainly helpful for those who want to join the production department in formulation units, especially oral solid dosage forms like tablets. If you are a B.Pharm /M.Pharm /BSc who want to join as operator or executive, then start your preparation

What is tablet  

Tablet is a solid unit dosage form comprising excipients and active pharmaceutical ingredients. The excipients are added to increase the bulk of the tablet, and the active ingredient is responsible for the therapeutic activity.

Mention some tablet preparation methods 

Tablets can be prepared by following methods which are as follows

• Wet granulation
• Dry granulation
• Direct Compression

What are pharmaceutical diluents 

Pharmaceutical diluents are inactive substances used in the formulation of tablets, capsules and other dosage form increase the bulk of the formulations and improve the consistency. Excipients do not exert any therapeutic activity.

Give some examples of diluents 

Some examples of diluents include sucrose, starch, lactose, microcrystalline cellulose, Dicalcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, sorbitol etc.

Why magnesium stearate is used as Lubricant in Pharmaceutical industry 

Magnesium stearate is most widely used lubricant as it has several advantages which include increasing the flowability of powder in the hopper during compression and reducing the friction between the tablet material and the machinery used by preventing sticking of materials to the tablet punches. 

What is the fill capacity of biggest and smallest capsule 

The biggest capsule size is” 000 “which can hold 950 – 1370mg of powder material. and the mallets capsule size is about 5 and can hold materials up to 130mg depending on the substance density.

What is a capsule and types of capsules?

A capsule like tablet is solid dosage form, but unlike tablets powders are filled in shells made of gelatin or plant based materials. In general two types of capsules are there which include hard gelatin capsule and soft gelatin capsules. Capsules offer advantage of taste masking.

Name some tableting problems 

• Lamination – it is the separation of tablets into two or more layers
• Capping – It is the partial or complete separation of tablet bottom or top layers after compression.
• Mottling – unequal distribution of color in tablets
• Weight variation – Significant difference in the weight of tablets 

What are the causes of lamination in tablets 

The cause of lamination includes 

• Air entrapment in the tablet blend
• More fines in the granulation 
• Low or inadequate moisture content in the granules
• Insufficient binder or high compaction force.

For more questions check our production department section.