The main functions of packaging system are the physical and chemical protection of the dosage form. The packaging system protects the dosage form from mechanical damage during distribution and storage, as well as against oxygen, heat, moisture and light. These factors can cause chemical reactions in the dosage form and thus affect the quality and safety of the dosage form. Ensuring the quality, safety and efficacy of finished products in the pharmaceutical industry is a prerequisite for protecting the health of patients and for the successful business performance of a pharmaceutical company, therefore the plastic packaging systems have to be tested properly. The aim of the master thesis was to perform physicochemical tests according to the USP 661.2 monograph on 10 plastic packaging systems made of high-density polyethylene, which were different in terms of size, manufacturer, production technology, colour and packaging composition. The tested packaging systems can be used for the packaging of solid dosage forms. First, we performed a preliminary acidity or alkalinity test, where the test for sensitivity of methyl red indicator and the preliminary test on purified water were performed. On the basis of the preliminary testing we evaluated samples of 10 packaging systems on three parallels by comparing the results. After the preliminary testing, we performed physicochemical testing of plastic packaging systems, we tested the appearance of samples (colour and clarity), we performed the measurements of absorbance, acidity or alkalinity tests, total organic carbon measurements, as well as the test of elemental impurities, which is not yet part of the USP 661.2 physicochemical tests. Based on the results, we concluded that all the samples of packaging system were colourless and clear, all the samples of packaging system had values of absorbance less than 0,2, the results of acidity or alkalinity and also the results of measurements of total organic carbon corresponded to the specifications in USP 661.2. Based on the results of the test for elemental
impurities, we can conclude that elemental impurities were not extracted from the packaging systems to the samples. On the basis of all the tests performed, we can conclude that all the packaging systems tested meet the specification requirements of USP 661.2 and are suitable for use.
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