The term quality control is the most important in pharmaceutical industries. It is essential that a good quality product should be available to the doctors for treating patient or for the actual users. The term quality is applied to drugs and drug products which contributing directly or indirectly to the purity, safety & effectiveness of the products.

1. Quality control Drugs and pharmaceuticals
Shivanee Vyas (shivaneevyas8@gmail.com)
Lakshmi Narain College of Pharmacy, Indore (MP)
Importance of quality control: The term quality control is the most important in
pharmaceutical industries. It is essential that a good quality product should be available to the
doctors for treating patient or for the actual users. The term quality is applied to drugs and drug
products which contributing directly or indirectly to the purity, safety & effectiveness of the
products.
To attain the above properties in drug it becomes essential to undertaken a quality control. The
aim of the quality control that the drug should have following characters.
1) A drug should of a good nature.
2) A drug should be physically & chemically pure.
3) A drug should contain the same amount of ingredients as states on the label.
4) A drug should be effective after administration.
5) A drug should be stable.
6) A drug should not have toxic impurities.
7) A drug should not contains impurities because they may produce undesirable change
during dispensing or processing.
The quality control is to carry out the analysis of a drug for quality and quantity. Various
tests and procedures for analysis and determining impurities are included in the official
book.
IMPURITIES:
 A compound is said to be impure if it is having foreign matters. i.e. impurities like
arsenic, iron heavy metals, lead, chloride, sulphate etc. A state of absolute purity is
unobtainable or possible. Even analytically pure sample of most compounds are having
minute traces of impurities.
 Purification of chemicals is an expensive process Therefor, a substance should not be
purified more than needed as it brings about waste of the time, material and money.
 The chemical impurity means freedom from foreign matter. i.e. impurities, hence the
pharmacopoeia of India and other nation have been prescribing test for purity for
different substance.
 The pharmaceutical preparation should be free from toxic impurities. Pharmacopoeia
prescribe the limit for harmful compound present in substance.
SOURCES OF IMPURITIES:
We know that the substance that are used in pharmaceutical field must be pure so that they can
be used safely. But it is very difficult to obtain an almost pure substance. We find different

2. substance and chemicals with varying degree of purity. So today we are going to
discuss different sources of impurities and some of the effect of impurities on pharmaceuticals.
The type and amount of impurity present in the chemicals or pharmaceuticals substance
depends upon the following factors:
1) Raw materials used in manufacturing.
2) Reagents used in the manufacturing
3) Solvents
4) Atmospheric contamination during manufacturing process
5) Intermediate products in the manufacturing process
6) Storage condition
7) Decomposing of the product during storage
8) Accidental substitution or adulteration with spurious material
1) Raw materials used in manufacturing: Pharmaceutical material either isolated from
natural sources or synthesized from natural starting material which have impurity.
Impurities associated with the raw materials may be carried through the manufacturing
process to contaminate the final product.
Example: Zinc sulphate may be prepared by the action of sulphuric acid on zinc metal
(raw material).
Zn + H2SO4 ZnSO4 + H2
The zinc are known to have aluminium, copper, magnesium, iron, arsenic as impurities.
If these impurities are present in appreciable amount in the raw materials (Zinc metal),
these impurities are likely to be carried to the final product.
2) Reagents used in the manufacturing: If reagent used in the manufacturing process
are not completely removed by washing, these may find entry into the final product.
Example: Ammoniated mercury may be prepared by adding a solution of Mercuric
chloride to dilute ammonia solution.
HgCl2 + 2NH4OH NH2HgCl + NH4Cl + 2
H2O
(Soluble) (Soluble) Ammoniated mercury (soluble)
The precipitate of Ammoniated mercury (Final Product) contains ammonium
hydroxide. Thus, this precipitate is washed with cold water to remove ammonium
hydroxide. If it is not removed completely by washing with water, the final product
may contain in it Ammonium hydroxide as impurity.
3) Solvents: Water is the cheapest solvent available and has been used wherever possible.
Tap Water It has Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+, Cl- , SO4 -2 and CO3 -2 as impurities in small
amounts. Hence even if good deal of washing of final product is done by tap water the
final product may still contains traces of such impurities.

3. 4) Atmospheric contamination during manufacturing process: In the industrial areas,
the atmosphere is contaminated with dust particles and some gases like Hydrogen
sulphide, Sulphur dioxide, and black smoke.
During the manufacture or purification of the pharmaceutical products, these impurities
enter the final products.
There are many pharmaceutical products which when manufactured are contaminated
with atmospheric CO2 and water vapour.
E.g NaOH absorbs atmospheric CO2.
2NaOH + CO2 Na2CO3 + H2O
Due to this reaction, NaOH should not be kept open for a longer time during its
manufacture. Therefore, IP has prescribed that Sodium hydroxide should not contain
more than 3% of sodium carbonate.
5) Intermediate products in the manufacturing process: There are some intermediates
which are produced during the manufacturing process. Sometimes these intermediates
may be carried through to the final product as impurity.
Example: Potassium iodide is prepared by reacting Iodine with Potassium hydroxide.
6KOH+ 3I2 5KI + KIO3 + 3H2O
The resulting solution is first evaporated and then heated with charcoal.
KIO3 + 3C KI + 3CO
In this process if the intermediate product (KIO3) is not completely converted into KI, then it
may be carried through to the final product as an impurity.
6) Storage condition: The chemical substances when prepared have to be stored in
different types of containers depending upon:
 Nature of the material
 Batch size
 Quantity
Many types of materials are used for storage purpose like plastic, polythene, iron
vessels, stainless steel and aluminium.
Leaching out effect: Alkalis stored in ordinary glass containers extract lead from it,
which in found as impurity in the final product.
Strong chemicals react with iron containers and extract Iron an impurity in final
product. Reaction of these substances with materials of storage vessels. The products
formed are found as impurities in the stored materials.
Inadequate storage and their effects are as follows:
a) Filth: Stored products may become contaminated with dust, bodies of insects, animal
and insect excreta.
b) Chemical instability: decomposition because of light, traces of acid or alkali, air
oxidation, water vapour, CO2 and traces of metallic ions. e.g light sensitive materials
should be stored in amber colored bottles.
c) Reactions with container materials: e.g salicylic acid ointment must not be stored in
metal tubes.
d) Physical changes: The occurrence of changes in the physical form of drug like
change in crystal size can lead to change in efficiency of product.

4. e) Temperature effect: Chemical and physical changes occur if materials are not stored
at proper temperature.
7) Decomposing of the product during storage: Some substances decompose on storing
due to presence of air, light and oxygen. So, the final product is contaminated.
Deliquescent substances, absorb water from the atmosphere and get liquefied.
Decomposition products appear as impurities in the substances.
8) Accidental substitution or adulteration with spurious material: It is possible to
avoid accidental substitution by storing the toxic substances together separately or in a
locked cupboard.
Many pharmaceutical chemicals are adulterated with cheaper substances.
E.g The expensive potassium may be adulterated with sodium bromide.
Effect of Impurities: We know that almost pure substances are difficult to get and some
amount of impurity is always present in the material. So the impurities which are present in the
substances may have the following effects.
 Impurities may bring about incompatibility with other substances.
 Impurities may lower the shelf life of the substances.
 Impurities may cause difficulties during formulations and use of the substances.
 Sometimes Impurities changes the physical and chemical properties of the
substances.
 Therapeutic effect can be decreased.
 Shows toxic effect after a certain period.
 Injurious when present above certain limits.
 It may change odour, colour, taste of the substance.
To prevent these impurities many test such as limit test are carried out to lower the impurities
to make the pharmaceuticals safer.
What is impurity? Any material that affects the purity of the material of interest.
Presence of Impurities in the pharmaceutical substances may produce toxic effects on the body
and may also lower down the active strength of the pharmaceutical substance.
Impurities commonly in chemical substances include small quantities of lead, Arsenic, Iron,
Chloride and sulphate.
Limit tests: Limit tests are quantitative or semi quantitative test designed to identify and
control small quantities of impurities which are likely to be present in the substances.
Tests being used to identify the impurity.
Tests being used to control the impurity.

5. LIMIT TEST FOR CHLORIDE:
Principle:
Limit test of chloride is based on the reaction between silver nitrate and soluble chloride to
obtain silver chloride which is insoluble in dilute nitric acid.
The silver chloride produced in the presence of dilute nitric acid makes the solution turbid, the
extent of turbidity depeneds upon the amount of chloride present in the substance is compared
with a standard opalescence produced by addition of silver nitrate to a standard solution having
a known amount of chloride and the same amount of dilute nitric acid as used in the test solution
Method of limit test of chloride:
Specific weight of compound is dissolved in
water or solution is prepared as directed in the
pharmacopoeia and transferred in Nessler
cylinder
Take 1ml of 0.05845 % W/V solution of
sodium chloride in Nessler cylinder
Add 1ml of nitric acid Add 1ml of nitric acid
Dilute to 50ml in Nessler cylinder Dilute to 50ml in Nessler cylinder
Add 1ml of AgNO3 solution Add 1ml of AgNO3 solution
Keep it side for 5 min Keep aside for 5 min
Observe the Opalescence/Turbidity Observe the Opalescence/Turbidity

6. Observation:
The opalescence produce in sample solution should not be greater than standard solution. If
opalescence produces in sample solution is less than the standard solution, the sample will pass
the limit test of chloride and visa versa.
Reasons:
Nitric acid is added in the limit test of chloride to make solution acidic and helps silver chloride
precipitate to make solution turbid at the end of process.
LIMIT TEST OF SULPHATE:
Principle: The limit test of sulphate is carried out on the basic reaction between barium
chloride and soluble sulphate in presence of dilute hydrochloric acid.
Then, the comparison of the turbidity produced by a given amount of the substance is done
with a standard turbidity obtained from a known amount of sulphate and same volumes of
dilute hydrochloric acid have been added to both the solutions.
SO4
-2 + BaCl2 BaSO4 + 2Cl

7. Method for limit test for sulphate
Observation:
The turbidity produce in sample solution should not be greater than standard solution. If
turbidity produces in sample solution is less than the standard solution, the sample will pass
the limit test of sulphate and vice versa.
Reasons:
Hydrochloric acid helps to make solution acidic. Potassium sulphate is used to increase the
sensitivity of the test by giving ionic concentration in the reagent. Alcohol helps to prevent
super saturation and so produces a more uniform opalescence.
LIMIT TEST OF IRON:
Principle: Limit test of iron is based on the reaction iron with thioglycollic acid in the presence
of ammoniacal solution and citric acid. A pale pink to deep reddish purple colour is formed
due to the formation of ferrous compound.
The coloured produced from the specified amount of substance from the test is compared with
a standard (ferric ammonium sulphate).

8. Method of limit test of IRON:
Observation: The purple colour produce in sample solution should not be greater than standard
solution. If purple colour produces in sample solution is less than the standard solution, the
sample will pass the limit test of iron and vice versa.
Reasons:
Citric acid forms complex with metal cation and helps precipitation of iron by ammonia by
forming a complex with it.
Thioglycolic acid helps to oxidize iron (II) to iron (III).
Ammonia is added to make solution alkaline. The pale pink colour is visible only in the alkaline
media. The colour is not visible in acidic media as ferrous thioglycolate complex decomposes
in high acidic media.
LIMIT TEST OF ARSENIC:
Arsenic is a well-known undesirable and harmful impurities which is present in medicinal
substance.

9. All pharmacopoeia prescribe a limit test for it. The pharmacopoeial method is based on the
Gutzeit test.
Principle: The test is based on the fact that arsenic in the arsenious state can be easily reduced
to arsine gas (AsH3). When this gas is passed over mercuric bromide paper, it produced a stain,
which ranges in the colour from yellow to brown, or yellow stain produce, the intensity of the
stain produced are proportional to the amount of arsenic.
Substance + dil HCl H3AsO4
(Contains Arsenic impurity) Arsenic acid
H3AsO4 + H2SnO2 H3AsO3 + H2SnO3
Arsenic acid Arsenious acid
H3AsO3 + 6[H] AsH3 + 3H2O
Arsenious acid nascent hydrogen Arsine gas
Apparatus:
 It is having a wide mouthed glass bottle of 120 mL capacity having mouth of about 2.5
cm in diameter. This bottle is fitted with a rubber bung through which passes a glass
tube, 20 cm long. External diameter=0.8 cm
Internal diameter=0.65 cm
The tube is constricted at its lower end extremity to about 1 mm diameter and there is
blown a hole, not less than 2 mm in diameter, in the side of the tube near the constricted
part.

10. The upper end of the glass tube is fitted with two rubber bungs (25 mm x 25 mm), each
having a hole bored centrally and exactly 6.5 mm in diameter.
One of the bungs has been fitted to the upper end of the tube, while the second bung
has to be fitted upon the first bung in such a way that the mercuric chloride paper gets
exactly sandwiched between the central perforations of the two.
The bungs are kept in close contact by using rubber band or spring clip in such a manner
that the gas evolved from the bottle must have to pass through the 0.65 mm internal
circle of mercuric chloride paper.
During the test, the evolved gases have been passing through the side hole, the lower
hole serving as an exit for water which condenses in the constricted part of the tube.
An important feature has been the standardization of the area of Mercuric chloride paper
which is exposed to the reaction of arsine gas.
Method for limit test of arsenic:
Stain obtained on mercuric chloride paper is compared with standard solution. Standard
stain must be freshly prepared as it fades on keeping.
Inference: If the stain produced by the test is not deeper than the standard stain, then
sample complies with the limit test for Arsenic.
Reasons: Stannous chloride is used for complete evolution of arsine. Zinc, potassium
iodide and stannous chloride is used as a reducing agent. Hydrochloride acid is used to
make the solution acidic, Lead acetate paper are used to trap any hydrogen sulphide
which may be evolved along with arsine.

11. LIMIT TEST OF HEAVY METALS
Principle: The limit test of heavy metals is based on the reaction of metal ions with
hydrogen sulphide, under the prescribed condition of the test causing the formation of
metal sulphides. They give rise to a brownish colouration. The test solution is compared
with a standard prepared using a lead solution.
The most commonly found heavy metals in pharmaceutical substances are Ag, Bi, Cr,
Fe, Ni, Cd, Zn, Sn, Sb. They react with H2S to produce corresponding sulphides.
2Ag+ + H2S Ag2S + H2
2Cu+ + H2S Cu2S + H2
2Bi+3 + H2S Bi2S3 + H2
Procedure:
The Indian Pharmacopoeia has adopted three methods for the limit test of heavy metals.
Method I: Use for the substance which gives clear colourless solution under the specific
condition.
Test sample Standard compound
Solution is prepared as per the
monograph and 25 ml is transferred in
Nessler’s cylinder
Take 2 ml of standard lead solution and dilute
to 25 ml with water
Adjust the pH between 3 to 4 by
adding dilute acetic acid ‘Sp’ or dilute
ammonia solution ‘Sp’
Adjust the pH between 3 to 4 by adding dilute
acetic acid ‘Sp’ or dilute ammonia solution
‘Sp’
Dilute with water to 35 ml Dilute with water to 35 ml
Add freshly prepared 10 ml of
hydrogen sulphide solution
Add freshly prepared 10 ml of hydrogen
sulphide solution
Dilute with water to 50 ml Dilute with water to 50 ml
Allow to stand for five minutes Allow to stand for five minutes
View downwards over a white surface View downwards over a white surface
Observation:
The colour produce in sample solution should not be greater than standard solution. If
colour produces in sample solution is less than the standard solution, the sample will
pass the limit test of heavy metals and vice versa.

12. Method II: Use for the substance which do not give clear colorless solution under the specific
condition.
Test sample Standard compound
Weigh specific quantity of test substance, moisten
with sulphuric acid and ignite on a low flame till
completely charred
Add few drops of nitric acid and heat to 500 °C
Allow to cool and add 4 ml of hydrochloric acid and
evaporate to dryness
Moisten the residue with 10 ml of hydrochloric acid
and digest for two minutes
Neutralize with ammonia solution and make just acid
with acetic acid
Take 2 ml of standard lead solution and
dilute to 25 ml with water
Adjust the pH between 3 to 4 and filter if necessary Adjust the pH between 3 to 4 by adding
dilute acetic acid ‘Sp’ or dilute ammonia
solution ‘Sp’
Dilute with water to 35 ml Dilute with water to 35 ml
Add freshly prepared 10 ml of hydrogen sulphide
solution
Add freshly prepared 10 ml of hydrogen
sulphide solution
Dilute with water to 50 ml Dilute with water to 50 ml
Allow to stand for five minutes Allow to stand for five minutes
View downwards over a white surface View downwards over a white surface
Observation:
The colour produce in sample solution should not be greater than standard solution. If colour
produces in sample solution is less than the standard solution, the sample will pass the limit
test of heavy metals and vice versa.
Method III: Use for the substance which gives clear colourless solution in sodium hydroxide
solution.
Test sample Standard compound
Solution is prepared as per the monograph and
25 ml is transferred in Nessler’s cylinder or
weigh specific amount of substance and
dissolve in 20 ml of water and add 5 ml of
dilute sodium hydroxide solution
Take 2 ml of standard lead solution
Make up the volume to 50 ml with water Add 5 ml of dilute sodium hydroxide solution
and make up the volume to 50 ml with water
Add 5 drops of sodium sulphide solution Add 5 drops of sodium sulphide solution
Mix and set aside for 5 min Mix and set aside for 5 min
View downwards over a white surface View downwards over a white surface

13. Observation:
The colour produce in sample solution should not be greater than standard solution. If colour
produces in sample solution is less than the standard solution, the sample will pass the limit
test of heavy metals and vice versa.