Driving sustainable laboratory practices in pharmaceutical development

27 May 2025

Sustainable operations in pharmaceutical analytical laboratories are crucial for reducing waste and improving cost efficiency. One impactful shift involves replacing single-use filters with multi-use filters in dissolution studies for solid-dosage drug products, such as those used to treat heart conditions such as blood pressure or angina. 

Multi-use filters significantly reduce consumable waste, lowering the need for constant repurchasing and disposal of materials. To assess the feasibility of reusing filters in dissolution testing for solid dosage drug products, Intertek Pharmaceutical Services conducted a study with one of our clients.

Originally validated using single-use filters, the study evaluated whether the same filter could be reused for multiple sampling points during the dissolution study, aiming to reduce waste and costs without compromising analytical integrity. Conducted in three stages, the study included a multi-use test of diluted standard solution, mechanical integrity testing of filters and a profile comparison of dissolution methods. The filters remained effective and intact under multiple pH conditions, consistently meeting specification criteria and confirming equivalent performance.

The successful completion of the study prevented the disposal of over 30,000 filters, equivalent to over 4,500 plastic bottles, significantly reducing waste and material costs. This initiative demonstrates how adopting multi-use filters can drive sustainable practices in pharmaceutical analytical laboratories, enhancing both environmental footprint and cost efficiency.

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