The aims of this systematic review are to explore the possibilities of using the positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) method in the pharmaceutical industry and to examine the application of PALS as a supportive, predictive method during the research process. In addition, the review aims to provide a comprehensive picture of additional medical and pharmaceutical uses, as the application of the PALS test method is limited and not widely known in this sector. We collected the scientific literature of the last 20 years (2002–2022) from several databases (PubMed, Embase, SciFinder-n, and Google Scholar) and evaluated the data gathered in relation to the combination of three directives, namely, the utilization of the PALS method, the testing of solid systems, and their application in the medical and pharmaceutical fields. The application of the PALS method is discussed based on three large groups: substances, drug delivery systems, and medical devices, starting with simpler systems and moving to more complex ones. The results are discussed based on the functionality of the PALS method, via microstructural analysis, the tracking of ageing and microstructural changes during stability testing, the examination of the effects of excipients and external factors, and defect characterization, with a strong emphasis on the benefits of this technique. The review highlights the wide range of possible applications of the PALS method as a non-invasive analytical tool for examining microstructures and monitoring changes; it can be effectively applied in many fields, alone or with complementary testing methods.

A stereospecific capillary electrophoresis method was developed for the separation of the novel, antipsoriatic agent, apremilast (APR). Six anionic cyclodextrin (CD) derivatives were screened for their ability to discriminate between the uncharged enantiomers. Only succinyl-β-CD (Succ-β-CD) presented chiral interactions; however, the enantiomer migration order (EMO) was unfavorable, and the eutomer, S-APR, migrated faster. Despite the optimization of all possible parameters (pH, cyclodextrin concentration, temperature, and degree of substitution of CD), the method was unsuccessful for purity control due to the low resolution and the unfavorable enantiomer migration order. Changing the direction of electroosmotic flow (EOF) by the dynamic coating of the inner surface of the capillary with poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride or polybrene resulted in EMO reversal, and the developed method could be applied for the determination of R-APR as the enantiomeric purity. Thus, the application of the dynamic capillary coating offers a general opportunity for enantiomeric migration order reversal in particular cases when the chiral selector is a weak acid.

Full-professor (Chair) of Biofabrication and Advanced Manufacturing at Queen's University Belfast, Chair at United Kingdom and Ireland Controlled Release Society (UKICRS), Chair (founder) of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences (APS) Emerging Technologies Focus Group.

Aims: The role of insulin in the regulation of energy metabolism, protein synthesis, proliferation, migration, secretion by keratinocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts suggests that its presence is essential for wound healing (WH). The present study aims to explore the opportunities and limitations of topical insulin (TI) formulations. Methods: To obtain a complete picture of the challenges of the local insulin formulation a chronological review of previous publications in electronic databases was performed, applying data collection and selection criteria. Results: The opportunity of topically applied insulin has shown active interest over time. According to studies, regular insulin and isophane are suitable for local use, but currently there is no consensus on the appropriate concentration. Insulin can be incorporated into cutaneous liquid, semisolid, and solid dosage forms, either by itself, or by prior nano-or microencapsulation methods. The most important limiting factors to be evaluated are the stability of the peptide and the sterility of the obtained products. Conclusion: Examination of the balance of opportunities and limitations of TI formulations, it can be concluded that the range of  applicable technological methods is wide. A high-quality, safe, and efficacious form of TI would have great value from a socio-economic point of view.