Pharmaceutical

The pharmaceutical industry is one of the largest users of humidity measurement equipment. Most drugs are sensitive to variations in humidity and moisture levels. Their moisture content must therefore be monitored continuously to attain consistent quality and performance. 

Water activity is also an important measurement parameter. It has a direct influence on the growth of micro-organisms and influences the texture, taste and shelf life of a product. Possible applications:

Stability tests

Drugs are tested in "accelerated conditions" in environmental chambers to obtain information on product stability, the integrity of their packaging and therefore shelf life.

Production areas

Production areas are monitored carefully to verify the climatic conditions under which the drugs are manufactured.  

Production machines, driers, tablet presses and coaters 

All sensitive to humidity. Quality control comprises monitoring of the production machines, the ambient air and the equilibrium relative humidity of the final products. 

Clean room environments 

Clean room environments are humidity critical. Monitoring systems for clean room environments are always validated to conform with regulatory requirements. They are therefore supplied by specialized firms. 

Storage facilities and transportation

Pharmaceutical undertakings often require their freight forwarders to record storage and transport conditions and also stipulate the limits of undesirable conditions. 

Humidity

Temperature

Water activity

Differential pressure