Tablet formulation expert system

Following the successful implementation of the tablet formulation expert system, a request was made for the development of a similar system for parenteral formulations. This project was initiated in April 1992, and completed in August 1992. The structure of the system is shown in Fig. 8. It is designed for formulating a... 

Fig. 7 Screen images for the tablet formulation expert system as described by Rowe. (A) Shows user interface with windows for the formulation task tree, specification, formulation, and current task. Tasks are displayed in various formats—current task in highlighted or bold text, completed in italics, and future in standard text. (B) Shows the security of the system. The input of a password displays the user privileges. (From Ref...

Work on expert systems in the specific domain of tablet film coating was initiated in April 1990, using a rule induction tool in order to develop a system for the identification and solution of defects in film-coated tablets. Although not strictly a formulation expert system, the developed system did contain knowledge whereby a given formulation known to cause defects could be modified to provide a solution. The completed system described by Rowe and Upjohn. 

Cadila Laboratories Ltd. of Ahmedabad, India have developed an expert system for the formulation of tablets for active ingredients based on their physical, chemical, and biological properties. The system first identifies the desirable properties in the excipients for optimum compatibility with the active ingredient and then selects those that have the required properties based on the assumption that all tablet formulations comprise at least one binder, one disintegrant, and one lubricant. Other excipients such as diluents (fillers) or glidants are then added as required. 

Fig. 6 Structure of the expert system developed by Rowe for the formulation of tablets. (From Ref...

The system is well used and is now an integral part of the development strategy for tablet formulation. To date, it has successfully generated formulations for more than 40 active drugs. In many cases, the initial formulations have been acknowledged as being on a par with those developed by expert formulators. Consequently, the formulation optimization routine is now considered redundant and is used very rarely. 

In 1994, due to the successful implementation of both this system and that used to formulate tablets, it was decided to initiate work on a new system that would recommend film-coating formulations for the generated tablet formulations, combined with a reformulation routine based on the film defect diagnosis system. The structure of the new system is shown in Fig. 11. The knowledge for the system was acquired by interviewing two domain experts, one with extensive heuristic knowledge and the other with extensive research knowledge. The sequence is as follows unital)... 

Rowe, R.C. An expert system for the formulation of phar- 29. maceutical tablets. Manufacturing Intelligence 1993, 14,... 

A computer-aided formulation system for tablets (Expert-Tab) has recently been developed by a consortium of 13 pharmaceutical companies coordinated... 

Kashihara T, Takahashi Y. Development of computer aided formulation system for tablet (Expert-Tab) 1. Pharm Tech lapan 2001 17 699-711. 

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