The pharmaceutical industry is the branch of the chemical industry that develops,

manufactures, and sells drugs. Defining illness is not its mission. Generally, the medications
produced by drug companies target diseases that have been defined previously by the medical
profession. It is also essential that these products are safe, effective, and of good quality, and are
prescribed and used rationally.

Pharmaceutical products may be classified according to its dosage form and according to
its uses. Major types according to its dosage form include syrups, injectables, ointments,
capsules, pills and tablets. On the other hand, major classifications according to its uses includes
cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, central nervous system, hormones and anti-infective
drugs.

Major raw materials in the production of insulin are baker’s yeast and nurturing solution.
Manufacturing of this pharmaceutical product involves fermentation, purification, drying and
bottling or packaging.

In the manufacturing process of paracetamol tablet, unit operations or processes such as

milling, mixing, roll compaction, granulation, pressing and packaging were applied. The major
raw materials used are acetaminophen, magnesium stearate, maize starch and powdered
cellulose.

Meanwhile, in the manufacturing process of penicillin, the major raw material used are
microorganisms, specifically, the penicillium chrysogenum. Unit operations involved in the
production are medium preparation, heat sterilization, fermentation, broth filtration, cooling,
filtration, solvent extraction, carbon treatment, solvent recovery, crystallization, crystal washing,
drying, storing and packaging.

The development of the pharmaceutical industry stems from advances in chemical

engineering. The distinguishing feature of the present stage of development is the expansion of
research in duplicating valuable pharmaceutical compounds obtained from natural products and
in creating new compounds with high and specific therapeutic action not found in nature.