The book entitled “Sethi’s HPTLC content uniformity of pharmaceutical Formulations” is an author’s successful attempt to use HPTLC technique for content uniformity test as an alternate method over HPLC, being the method of choice in all leading pharmacopoeias i.e. IP, BP, USP, EP etc.
In this book Author has given detailed method of analysis for content uniformity test by HPTLC. There are 45 Protocol for different 45 pharmaceutical formulations. The book consists mainly two parts. Part-A from page number 1-60 , having 30 formulations containing one active substance and Part-B from page number 62-121, having 15 formulations containing two active substances. Each protocol has been described with Formulation, Drug classification, Dosage form, sample/standard preparation, chromatographic equipments, sample application scheme, chromatographic condition, densitometric evaluation and densitogram. RSD for both standard and sample has been calculated. At the end of the book a comparative Analytical data for content uniformity Test by HPTLC and HPLC has been given for (i) Mean assay (%) values of 10 individual dosage (ii) Assay range (iii) RSD (%). Quite comparable results support the Author’s claim for use of HPTLC for content uniformity test as an alternate technique.
As we know, in the content uniformity test by HPTLC all the ten dosage forms of a sample and five replicates of standards can be analyzed simultaneously while in HPLC, we have to run one by one. In this way both time and money could be saved. In my personal opinion HPTLC is a versatile, simple, fast and cost effective technique.
Dr. P.D. Sethi is well known Authority in the field of pharmaceutical analysis. He is PhD from Madras University in pharmacognosy and Former Director of Central Drug testing laboratory Mumbai. He has written a number of books in pharmaceutical Analysis using different analytical techniques like UV-vis spectrophotometry, TLC, HPTLC and HPLC.
I would like to congratulate, Dr. P.D. Sethi for such an excellent attempt to compile this unique book. The book would be helpful for Analyst working in quality control of a Pharmaceutical Industry, Drug testing Laboratory and R&D centers.

Book Reviewed By: Dr. R.A. Singh, Director, Regional Drugs Testing Laboratory, Chandigarh. 

This book is a comprehensive coverage on polyvinylpyrrolidone (Povidone) as a pharmaceutical excipients.
Pharmaceutical excipients is an important component of pharmaceutical preparations, its role is to ensure that drugs must selectively transported to the target position the body with certain speed and time of release. Therefore, for better efficacy of the medicines, the selection of appropriate excipients is very important during manufacturing of the medicines.
For this purpose overall knowledge regarding physico-chemical properties, pharmaceutical application and toxicological information of different kinds of excipients is very essential. As this book is a outcome of exclusive informative collection about the physico-chemical properties, qualitative and quantitative analytical methods, pharmaceutical applications and toxicological information of soluble polyvinyl pyrrolidone (povidone), insoluble polyvinyl pyrrolidone crospovidone) and vinylpyrrolidone-vinylacetate copolymer copovidone), it is very useful to those who are looking for the book deals with the most valuable pharmaceutical excipients like povidone.
The whole book is divided into six well chapters and the author has very meticulously shared his knowledge, experience and expertise in these chapters. In this well written book the author has documented all important information like general synthesis, molecular structure, synonyms, product properties, analytical methods, pharmaceutical applications, and toxicological data of polyvinylpyrrolidone and its copolymer.
Finally, this book which is a collection of very useful information and outcome of enriched knowledge and vast experience of the author is not only beneficial to all the persons involved in the field of pharmacy and health science for their academic and research purposes but also equally important to the other scientific persons interested in the pharmacy.
It is believed that because of the enriched text and good systematic presentation with impressive language, this book will definitely finds its place among all the book lovers and researchers who are looking for a quality book dealing with the excipients.

Book Reviewed By: Dr. Dilip Kumar Panda, Central Drugs Laboratory, Kolkata 

St. John's Wort or Hypericum

St. John's Wort or Hypericum has become an important source for phytotherapeutic preparation especially in North America and Europe. It is particularly well known for its uses in the treatment of mild forms of depression and is a classic example of an indigenous European medicinal plant transformed into a 'modern' herbal remedy. Sales of preparations containing St. John's Wort have soared in recent years. The book covers all relevant aspects of this drug. Detailed discussions on the plant's botanical and pharmacognostical characteristics, the natural product know from the species, quality control aspects (including the standardisation of extracts), pharmacological (pharmacodynamic and some pharmacokinetic) studies in animals and humans and clinical studies included is impressive. Some of these use a very rigorous methodology, thus giving good evidence for the species' clinical efficacy.
The continuing debate whether hypericin (a naphtodinathrone) or hyoperforin (a complex terpenoid) is more relevant for the clinically observed effects is not discussed specifically, but since the author provides numerous pharmacological data on the various types of extracts and on the pure compounds, the reader may well draw his/her own conclusions.
The book provides a very good overview on all pharmaceutical aspects of this important medicinal plant. Obviously in a rapidly developing field new important data come in constantly. The recent finding of the risk of interactions between hypericum extracts, and, for example, anti-coagulants has not yet been included.
It is therefore to be hoped that the book will be updated regularly. Because of the strong interest in this 'herbal product' in English-speaking countries, an edition in English would be very useful.
This book is part of a series on medicinal plants, which have yielded important phytotherapeutic preparations (e.g. Crataegus spp., Ginkgo biloba). Hopefully this series will be expanded in order to summarize basic scientific information about widely used medicinal plants. From an ethnopharmacological perspective, the book is of particular interest since it shows the multitude of studies required to transform a 'traditional' medicine into clinically used phytotherapeutic preparations. But it also clearly demonstrates that it is worth the effort.
This very good book is of relevance to anyone interested in European phytotherapy, or in medicinal plant research in general and, of course, it is a 'must' for all working on St. John's Wort. 

Time had stood still. Stunned into a silence, we felt our lives suspended by a thin, fragile rope with uncertainty looming large. Our fifteen and a half year old son’s kidneys were nearly shut down. “Chronic kidney failure,” was the words used by the specialist. The suddenness had made us apprehensive and we smelt danger, discomforted by the newness of this disease that was supposedly associated with adults. To regain our lost composure we needed to find some good solutions.
Using analytical skills, armed with some courage and understanding, we took baby steps in gaining knowledge. It meant closely studying every aspect of the disease. As we unraveled the mystery of kidney failure, we learnt the gravity of the disease which kept the patient involved with diet, medication, blood pressure monitoring, and periodic check- ups. Each of these was directly related to food and fluid intake as a measure against urine outputs.
The family worked together, on a set goal of a transplant option as soon as my son began dialysis. I offered my kidney. It was a practical decision. My husband was a diabetic and my elder son just seventeen years. A few years later, after I finally managed to donate my kidney against all odds of fighting a breast cancer, the horrific chemotherapy and radiation, I experienced many other feelings. It was not joy, nor was it pride, but a completely new sense of being me, myself.
Life had changed dramatically but I drew comfort of having reached the safe zone.
I saw the whole world on the other side. They did not see, know, or understand how and why our lives had changed. I made it my responsibility of telling how a young man faced the life threatening disease, sought treatments and finally found joy in his life. Importantly tell people why they should protect themselves against a kidney failure by taking preventive steps in certain health conditions.
I realized that managing life with the disease was difficult, sometimes the huge treatment cost made it unaffordable for some patients. Finding a willing donor was a huge task, and many were unsuccessful in even arranging a transplant. Above all a cancer survivor qualifying for a kidney donation was uncommon.
“Shades of Life” is an inspiring book that could touch people in every walk of life. The protagonist made it his mission to find joy and lead a wonderful, near normal life. He lost his kidney again in 2006. After many earth-shattering experiences, his elder brother donated a kidney in 2009. In these 15 years, my son had graduated from Mumbai’s Xavier’s College, did Masters in IIT, Powai, graduated as a Doctorate in Physics from University of Southern California and is now on a post doctorate at University of Alberta, Canada. 

Drug research encompasses several diverse disciplines united by a common goal, namely the development of novel therapeutic agents. Pharmacokinetics and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring has assumed a great value in drug discovery. Many new combinations of drugs are being invented and made available frequently. The knowledge of pharmacokinetics is a thrust area for optimizing safe and efficacious drug therapy. Also, pharmacokinetics has now become a formal course of study especially with introduction of Pharm. D course by the Pharmacy Council of India.
In the initial few chapters of the book, the fundamentals of rate kinetics, factors defining the Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion of a drug are discussed with suitable examples. The chapters on compartment models of `Pharmacokinetics’ are discussed as one, two and three compartment models based on route of administration of the drugs. The model independent kinetics has also been explained in detail. The chapter on dosage regimen discusses the concept of various parameters that are important in determining the quantum of dose and its use. The concept of `Therapeutic Drug Monitoring’ (TDM) of some selected drugs is also discussed.
To keep pace with the advances, the authors have made a sincere effort towards elaborating the comprehensive fundamental principles of `Pharmacokinetics’ in a simple and easily understandable approach. Overall the book presents the subject in a simple and lucid manner and would be a good reference resource for all pharmacy students.
 
Book Reviewed by Mr. Raman Sehgal

India would have lost the history of pharmaceutical developments, thanks to the painstaking efforts of Professor Harkishan Singh that has given us a wealth of literature on this subject. Since last 20 years, he has been working to explore the history of modern pharmacy in India covering the span of last few centuries including the pharmaceutical progress in independent India. He has collected a great deal of historical material through his travels to different libraries in India and abroad and by large and scholarly correspondence. He has compiled his research work in 22 chapters in his latest book “Pharmaceutical History of India”.

 
Chapter 1 begins with the Introduction of the arrival of European powers on the Indian subcontinent with the coming of Portuguese Vasco da Gama in 1498. Subsequently Dutch and French came followed by British, who took control of the vast land and East India Company was established. Portuguese teacher and physician Garcia da Orta who stayed in Goa for three decades (1534-1564) studied Indian material medica and wrote extensively on this subject.

 
Chapter 2 deals with Colonial Professions of Medicine and Pharmacy. The Indian Medical Service (I.M.S.) was founded in British India which led to the establishment of medical education first in Calcutta and then in Madras. Apothecaries and hospitals assistants classes were also started. Pharmacy profession stood neglected during the British rule and overall situation with regard to drugs and practice of pharmacy remained a grave concern.

 
Chapter 3 provides historical aspects of British Period Pharmacies. One can know about M/s K.R. Chandran, S.F. Ranji, B.K. Paul, I.G. Gajjar, Jalbhai Billimoria, Lalchand Dodha, K. Venkatapathi Naidu, R.B. Sen, Ratan Lal Gupta and Dr Shaib Singh on one side and great pharmacies of yesteryears like Smith, Stanistreet & Co (Calcutta), S.Brothers (Bombay), Bill & Co (Bombay), Appah & Co (Madras), Imperial Medical Hall / H.C. Sen & Co (Delhi) and Beli Ram & Brothers (Bombay), to mention a few of them.

 
Chapter 4 deals with Colonial Overseas Drug Trade with special reference to foreign trade in general, export of raw drugs and import of drugs and medicines.

 
Chapter 5 describes Qualified Indian Chemists and Druggists, which laid the process for the profession of pharmacy. The chemists and druggists’ class started in Madras in 1860. The contributions of S.Rajagopal Naidu are recorded. For the uniform system of education for qualification as pharmacists, Pharmaceutical Society of India, the oldest organisation of its type was founded in 1925 with such prominent architects and builders like Wilfred Pereira and A.N. Lazarus.

 
Chapter 6 Compounders’ Community illustrates greatly and traces the history in Bengal, Madras, Bombay and other provinces in times as early as 1881. All India Compounders’ and Dispensers’ Association was founded in 1923 and All Bengal Compounders’ Association in 1929. The contributions of Raj Bahadur and K.K. Acharjee are mentioned.

 
Chapter 7 Pharmacopoeias in Colonial Times gives a historical account of the London Pharmacopoeia with three Hindustani translations of 1824, 1843 and 1845. There follows a description of Bengal Dispensatory (1841) and Bengal Pharmacopoeia (1844), both works of W.B.O’Shaughnessy. Next the forgotten–even in India–Pharmacopoeia of India (1868) prepared by Edward John Waring which gave special attention to indigenous Indian remedies and its Supplement (1869) are described. In 1900, the process of making Indian and Colonial Addendum to British Pharmacopoeia of 1898 also started. The Addendum was incorporated into British Pharmacopoeia of 1914 that became recognised as first complete “Imperial Pharmacopoeia”. A latent movement for the national Indian pharmacopoeia succeeded in providing the Indian Pharmacopoeial List 1946. An Indian Pharmaceutical Codex appeared in 1953. A complete description of the British Pharmacopoeias (1864-1945) is also given

 
Chapter 8 gives information and background of Drugs Enquiry Committee (1930-31) appointed by Government of India to study the trade of drugs in Indian market. Lt. Col. R.N. Chopra was appointed Chairman of the Committee. Its history-making report in 1931 made cogent recommendations which paved the way for drugs and pharmacy legislations, pharmacopoeial publications and development of pharmacy profession in the country.

Chapter 9 is a short review of the Health Survey and Development Committee appointed by the Government of India in 1943 to make a broad survey of the existing position in regard to health conditions and to make recommendations for future developments.

 
Chapter 10 is a narration of the historical perspective of Drugs and Pharmacy Statutes pertaining primarily to development in India. For the sake of comparison attention is also drawn to the scene in Britain of the time when India was their colony. Described here is British Pharmacy Legislations (1852-1933); Drugs Statutes in Britain (1875-1928); Indian Drug Legislation; Anderson Report (1937); Import of Drugs Bill (1937); Drugs Act (1940). After independence Pharmacy Act (1948); Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act (1954); Drugs and Cosmetics Act (1947) and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (1985) were introduced.

 
Chapter 11 explains Pharmacopoeias and Formularies and the influence of British Pharmacopoeia of 1948 and 1953 in the preparation of first Pharmacopoeia of India (The Indian Pharmacopoeia) 1955. Their follows descriptions of Indian Pharmacopoeias of 1966, 1985, 1996, 2007 and the National Formulary of India that appeared in 1968 and was revised in 1966 and 1979. The composition of various Indian Pharmacopoeial Committees and functions of India Pharmacopoeia Commission is given.

 
Chapter 12 PC1 and Education for Pharmacy Practice gives a detailed account of the role of Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), constituted under Pharmacy Council Act 1948, in making regulations called Education Regulations prescribing the minimum standard of education required for qualification as pharmacist.

 
Chapter 13 titled Baccalaureate Educations portrays a composite picture of the historical and contemporary pharmaceutical instruction, expanding upon the historical perspective of issues pertaining to pharmaceutical education. Profiles of older and new pharmaceutical institutions and numerous portrait photographs are chronicled. Surveys of changing patterns in the course of study and curricula are also presented.

 
Chapter 14 narrates the development of Postgraduate Studies and Research in India. History of various institutions imparting Masters and Doctoral degrees in pharmacy is given. Reports of various Committees (Thacker, Nayudamma) for admission to postgraduate studies and its course of study are also mentioned. Doctoral studies, research and recognitions in Indian institutions are as well covered. A brief description of National Intuitions of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) in Mohali (Punjab) is also given.

 
Chapter 15 deals with AICTE and Pharmaceutical Education. After independence pharmaceutical education in general got drawn into the ambit of All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE). A survey of pertinent developments in this context is the subject of this chapter.

 
Chapter 16 Pharmacy Faculties covers the history of creation of pharmacy faculties in the country.

 
Chapter 17 illustrates the code of Pharmacy Ethics. With the advent of Pharmacy Act 1948, slowly the pharmacy practice started taking shape as a profession. The prerequisites for one’s entry into the profession and necessary registration for the purpose were defined. The pharmacy ethics are covered in its entirety of how the thought came up, got developed, adopted including the recent happenings.

 
Chapter 18 gives the development of Hospital Pharmacy in India, its forerunners, and tribulations, the struggles etc. The development of properly organised hospital pharmacy and its management, the role played by pharmacists who worked in hospitals like M/s S.H. Merchant, Dr B.D. Miglani, V.K. Osterling, J.S. Walia, K.K. Kaistha and Miss N.S. Gayatonde is notably recorded. The recent developments in concept of Clinical Pharmacy Practice; Drug Information Centre and Didactics are also appropriately covered.

 
Chapter 19 gives the description of Retail and Community Pharmacy. The pharmacy profession started getting systematised only in the post-colonial era. The contributions of S.N. Biswas and A. Raptakos are mentioned. Also covered are Trade Related Issues; Dispensing, Retailing and Community Care; Over the Counter Drugs; Pharmacist as Health Educator; Role in Family Planning Programmes and Professional Emblem.

 
Chapter 20 Rural Pharmacy aptly records the dilemmas related to delivery of health care at rural levels adequately in a vast and a diverse country like India, and seemingly simplistic solutions recommended at different time periods.

 
Chapter 21 covers the history of Pharmaceutical Industry under the subtitles: Colonial Drug Industry and Related Developments; Towards Building of a Formidable Base on the Country becoming Independent and Domestic Self-sufficiency and Making to a Globally Competitive Status. The roles of some pioneers of pharmaceutical industry like Ray, Gajjar, Kotibhaskar, Amin, Cooper and Hamied are mentioned. List of 25 top pharmaceutical companies in India is also mentioned.

 
Chapter 22 covers the Biographies of pharmaceutical professionals of yore who contributed to pharmacy education, pharmaceutical profession and industrial developments in India both during the colonial period and after the independence of the country. Prof. M.L. Schroff (to whom 2011this book is dedicated) laid the foundation of pharmacy education at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) in 1932. N.K. Basu, D.N. Majumdar, G.P. Srivastava and S. Prasad were other prominent educationists of BHU. R.P. Patel and M.L. Khorna also contributed to pharmacy education and pharmacy profession in general. K.C. Chatterjee, H.R. Nanji and B.V. Patel played a great role in the development of industry, statutory control of drugs and pharmacy practice. S.N. Biswas, J.C. Ghosh and B.N. Vyas were other prominent pharmacy professional of the last century. Several medico pharmaceutical professionals like R.N. Chopra, K.S. Grewal and B. Mukerji have contributed a lot to the pharmaceutical developments in India.

 
Prof. Singh has done a great service to the profession of pharmacy by writing this book. The book is excellently written and it is a treasure for the pharmacy profession, not only in India but for the pharmacy world. Pharmacy profession in Western countries means practice in community and institutional pharmacies. A pharmaceutical history book covering various aspects of pharmacy disciplines has been written for the first time. The author has explored in various chapters the developments of pharmacy practice in India covering over 150 years of history and thus provided a valuable informative data on this subject. The author has further given a brilliant account of the British Indian pharmacopoeial history and thus made a new original addition to the subject of history of pharmacopoeias. The development of pharmacy education in a large country like India was a complex process and the author puts it together into a clear understandable essay. Biographies of persons who helped in the development of pharmacy profession in the country makes the book interesting to read. Numerous pictures of pharmacies, pharmacopoeias, institutions and portrait photographs sprinkled throughout the book help break up the text. An appendix of the supplementary readings at the end of the book gives a complete bibliographical list of the publications of the author. The cover picture of the book shows the front view of the University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh. This book should serve as a standard text book in the Indian Universities and a reference on the subject of history of Indian pharmacy. Prof. Singh has produced an excellent record of the pharmaceutical history of India and the subject pharmacy in general, which could be a valuable resource for understanding one of the most important professional fields in India today.

Book Reviewed By: Dr Ravindernath Kaul, Germany

Under the title of Life – An Odyssey: Time Tested Mantras Providing Solutions to Life’s Problems, the author has compiled selective 35 mussing which throws light on the hurdles in the journey of human life and the ways to brings about happiness from these hurdles in ourselves and spreading it to others. Incorporation of heart touching short stories and beautiful quotes makes this literature more interesting and worth reading.

 
This book encompasses the deep desire of completeness within the soul, which drives a man from the seen to the unseen, to philosophy and ultimately to the divine. This book is intended for those capable of knowing their own good. As a thinker, the author just wishes to awaken the reader to his own self. We receive from life not what we want, but what we need. So it is with wisdom that, it requires wisdom to understand wisdom. That inherent wisdom, ‘Life-An Odyssey’ intends to touch, an effort to affect eternity.

 
The author quotes Buddha’s view on life’s journey: Faith is nourishment, Virtuous deeds are a shelter, Wisdom is the light by day and Right mindfulness is the protection by night. If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him. If he has conquered greed, nothing can limit his freedom. Life is a mystery for those who keep on running behind their expectations, ignoring the need of exploring their soul and happiness therein. The changing culture of an individual and the society towards unhealthy social environment makes it necessary to find the right path for the journey of life. The idea behind Life – An Odyssey is to explore the different aspects of life, which everybody experiences in their day-to-day living, though of importance, these are largely ignored due to our so called ‘busy schedules’.

 
Life-An Odyssey: Time-tested Mantras Providing Solutions to Life’s Problems arouses the dormant conscience buried deep within each person due to our hectic lifestyles. Hence, this book can be a pocket guide for students, and professionals who would love to bring stability into their lives in this fast-paced world.
Book Reviewed by: T. N. Bazaz

The science and technology associated with pharmacy has progressed immensely over the last few decades. Significant advances have been made in understanding the pathophysiology of the disease. This has necessitated the need to optimize the drug therapy. The aim of the drug formulator is to develop dosage forms that ensures optimum amount of drug reaches the target site; at an optimal rate and its concentration is maintained throughout the entire duration of therapy. Therefore, it is essential that we understand the fate of drug after its administration; the rate processes to which it is subjected in the body and its behavior after biotransformation. The twin disciplines of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics have, therefore, been developed with the objective of learning how drugs can be utilized optimally in the treatment of diseases–through design and development of new and better therapeutic moieties, new dosage forms and appropriate dosage regimens.
This book consists of 15 chapters. The chapter on Absorption of Drugs has been dealt with comprehensively as most of its principles also form the basis of drug distribution and elimination. Elaborate treatment of text on Biotransformation of Drugs in chapter 5 is justified since a pharmacy student is well versed with the basic chemistry and enzymology. A brief mention about Bioactivation and Tissue Toxicity has been included at the end of this chapter so that after understanding the mechanisms of drug metabolism, a student will be better placed to appreciate their significance. Prodrugs discussed in chapter 6 give insight into the manner in which chemical formulation techniques can be utilized to overcome some of the inherent biopharmaceutic and pharmacokinetic problems of the active principles. Mathematical treatment of chapters on pharmacokinetics has been kept to at modest level in order not to overburden the students with the complexities of equations and formulae.
A brief description of methods usually employed to enhance the bioavailability of a drug from its formulation has been included at the end of chapter 12. In addition to covering various aspects of design of dosage regimens and application of pharmacokinetic principles in clinical situations, the text contains a final chapter on Controlled Release Medication to familiarize the students with the principles involved in the design of innovative formulations.
Though several books are available on the subject, the material in most of them is presented in a diffused form or is highly specialized and discernible to those proficient in the field. The textbook presents the information in a lucid, condensed and cohesive form, to cater specifically the needs of undergraduate and graduate students of pharmacy.
Book Reviewed by: Raman Sehgal, Associate Editor, The Pharma Review, New Delhi, India (MSc; Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences).

Recent analysis of drug attrition rate shows that a significant number of potential drug candidates fail in the later stages of clinical development either due to faulty ADME or due to systemic toxicity / safety issues. Lead optimization in drug discovery thus plays an important role in attempting to uncover the defects in so called drug candidates. The book Optimization in Drug Concepts – InVitro Methods is compilation of detailed experimental protocols necessary for assaying compounds under evaluation. The book has 25 chapters and each chapter is contributed by subject matter expert and covers a wide spectrum of topics that include physiochemical properties, drug absorption, plasma protein binding, metabolism, drug toxicity and drug interactions. Chapter 1 provides experimental methods measuring fundamental physiochemical properties (pka solubility and lipophilicity). CACO-2 model is described in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 covers PAMPA (parallel artificial membrane permeability) in detail. The perfused rat intestinal model, which is considered as a gold standard for evaluation of drug absorption is outlined in Chapter 4.
Chapters 5 and 6 discusses about screening compounds targeting CNS disease and anti cancer molecules respectively. Chapter 7 outlines a different approach to investigate the involvement of drug transporters using oocytes injected with cRNAs. Chapters 8 and 9 present several different methods evaluating plasma protein binding, which include equilibrium dialysis, ultrafiltration and isothermal titration calorimetry. The metabolic stability of drug candidates can be determined from in vitro incubations with either hepatocytes or microsomes as described in Chapter 10.
Chapter 11 outlines methods for identifying oxidative metabolites using microsomes or S9 fractions. Chapter 12 describes a general approach identifying UGTs responsible for metabolizing a given drug candidate. CYP induction using human hepatocytes is described in Chapter 13.
Chapter 14 describes a high throughput approach screening for 13 individual CYPs by using fluorescent substrates and cDNA-expresed enzymes, and Chapter 15 presents a traditional method assessing the inhibition of those major CYPs in human liver microsomes. A systematic approach is given in Chapter 16 to identify mechanism –based CYP inhibitors.
In Chapter 17, detection of DNA adducts is described using 32P-postlabeling combining with PAGE or HPLC radioactive analysis; analysis of CYP-mediagted covalent DNA adducts is presented in Chapter 18.
Two methods detecting DNA damage at the level of individual eukaryotes induced by xenobiotics are provided including a traditional COMET (Chapter 19) and a rapid cell-based reporter system (Chapter 20). Although the Ames test has long been used to detect mutagens and possible carcinogens, an improved version assay given in Chapter 21 significantly reduces background resulting from contamination in S9 fractions. Also a modified mouse lymphoma assay (MLA) is outlined in Chapter 22, because this assay has been recommended as one of core toxicology tests.
As QT prolongation caused by interaction of drug molecules with HERG channels remains to be a common concern in drug discovery, a high throughput in vitro assay is devised in Chapter 23 to screen compounds for interaction with HERG. Reactive metabolites generated by CYPs can be trapped by the addition of glutathione to in vitro incubations and structurally characterized using mass spectrometry (Chapter 24). The last chapter presents a new in vitro assay assessing the reactivity of acylglucuronides (Chapter 25).
Each chapter contains introduction, materials, methods and notes sections. The introduction contains important background information. The materials section lists all the equipment and reagents necessary to carry out the assay, while step-by-step protocols are outlines in the methods section. The book is intended to serve a wide audience that includes all professionals involved in drug development.
Book Reviewed by: Raman Sehgal (M.S; Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences).

The book Drug Metabolism - Current Concepts is intended to serve a wide audience that includes undergraduate and postgraduate students of pharmacy, pharmacology, medicine, biochemistry, chemistry and related fields as well as other healthcare professionals and medicinal chemists.
In the first chapter, the principles underlying drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination are described in detail. Chapter 2 and 3 deals with the chemistry of the biotransformation reactions and includes both Phase 1 and Phase 2 reactions. Further details of the structural features, mechanism of action in biotransformation and enzyme regulation appear in Chapter 4. Enzyme induction, enzyme inhibition with special reference to Cytochrome P450 enzyme system is explained meticulously in chapter 5. This is followed, in Chapter 6, by a discussion of the factors affecting drug biotransformation. The authors have discussed influences of age, sex, hormonal status, diseased state. An introduction to relatively new discipline of Pharmacogenetics, probing the effect of gene variability on drug biotransformation is discussed in Chapter 7. This chapter covers implications of genetic variations for future drug dispensing. Chapter 8 discusses two important topics that have significant clinical implications namely drug interactions and adverse drug reactions. Finally chapter 9 attempts to demonstrate how principles of drug metabolism can be incorporated into the drug designing process to maximize the therapeutic efficacy of the molecule. This can be of paramount interest to the medicinal chemist for designing safe and efficacious candidates.
The text is supported extensively throughout by pertinent example to illustrate the principles and a special effort has been made to to include literature references of the recent studies and reviews which very well justifies the term ‘current’ in the title of this work.
Book Reviewed by: Raman Sehgal (M.Sc; Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences).

The origin of the medical education in India is attributable almost entirely to Indian Medical Service (IMS). Close to the independence of the country (1947), there were 19 colleges granting medical degrees. Every care was taken to put the Western system of medicine on strong footing, however, no serious government effort was made to produce pharmaceutical manpower of adequate quantity. There were chemists and druggists’ class run in medical colleges in Madras and Vishakapatnam, this being the only course in colonial India that was geared to provide qualified manpower for pharmacy practice. The course was run along with the lines of instructions imparted by Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain. There was also a class of “compounders”, who were low-level practitioners of pharmacy and in some places the term dispenser was used for them. They had no formalized training until the process of education started in Bengal in 1881. The compounders were ill-paid and disparaged as professionals. In colonial days, the drugs and related items required to sustain the new medical systems had to be imported from overseas; the drug industry of India was at a rudimentary stage. Big pharmacy houses emerged that were generally managed by British pharmacists. Their customers were by and large Europeans. Many other chemists’ shops run by Indians sprang up for common man who could not afford higher prices. They were run by unqualified personals. Government hospitals did not have organised hospital pharmacies. The lowly paid compounders were engaged for dispensing and those who styled themselves as chemists and druggists were not formally trained. The apothecaries and hospital assistants had medico-pharmaceutical functions. As compared to Western countries like USA, England, Germany, pharmacy practice in India was in a very underdeveloped state. There was a desperate shortage of professional pharmacists. Such was India’s pharmaceutical inheritance from the colonial era. The Pharmacy Act of 1948 finally provided for the regulation and practice of pharmacy. The Pharmacy Council of India was constituted for the purpose of correcting the deplorable situation regarding the pharmacy practice.
Since 1960s, the Indian Hospital Pharmacists Association and its official mouthpiece, the Indian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy struggled hard to popularise and develop the hospital pharmacy, clinical pharmacy , community pharmacy and pharmacy practice in general. The efforts and the tireless devotion of Dr. B.D.Miglani are highly commendable and praiseworthy. He lectured on the subject of hospital pharmacy endlessly in many conferences in India and started M.Pharm course in hospital pharmacy in Delhi University in 1982. The introduction of subjects like hospital pharmacy, clinical pharmacy and community pharmacy in the B.Pharm curriculum (in 1980s), then starting of M.Pharm pharmacy practice course in a number of institutions during the latter part of 1990s and in the subsequent years and introduction of Pharm. D in 2008 are considered as milestones in the development and popularisation of pharmacy practice in India.
Till now not much reading material was available on pharmacy practice for the undergraduate and graduate students in India. The publication of this book “A Textbook of Pharmacy Practice” by Revikumar and Miglani is a great enrichment to the subject of pharmacy practice. A complete book devoted to all the aspects of pharmacy practice has been published in India for the first time. The book is divided in 12 Chapters: (1)Hospitals (2) Hospital Pharmacy (3) Community Pharmacy Services (4) Clinical Pharmacy (5) Medical Errors (6) Pharmacovigilance and Adverse Drug Reactions (7) Procurement, Storage, Inventory Control and Distribution of Medicines (8) Patient Counselling and Patient Compliance (9) Pharmacoepidemiology (10) Pharmacoeconomics and Quality of Life (11) Principles and Concepts of Research in Health Science and Pharmacy Practice (12) Professional Ethics in Pharmacy Practice.
Each Chapter is divided in subtitles and enriched with required, relevant and related information from the perspective of a pharmacy practice student. The authors have tried to link the various aspects of the hospital and clinical pharmacy into a reasonably coherent text. While writing this book and discussing the relevant and related issues, the authors have tried to give sufficient Indian orientation and wherever needed touched the situations in other countries so as to make the reader aware of the global and local situations. This textbook is well written giving details in each chapter, which makes the subject more understandable. Each chapter is supplemented with tables, illustrations and examples, which gives the reader clearer review of the text. At the end of each chapter a list of references is also quoted so that one gets an additional view of the literature. A glossary at the end of the book provides an excellent explanation of the scientific words and abbreviations used in this book which is an additional supplement to the knowledge of pharmacy practice. A few pictures make this book livelier. This book is a great enrichment to the profession of pharmacy in general and to pharmacy practice in particular. It should be recommended to all pharmacy professionals in the country and should become a part of the libraries in the pharmaceutical institutions, pharmaceutical industry, hospitals and other health institutions. It shall be of particular use, interest and applications to the pharmacy degree, postgraduate research, doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D) students in India and to the profession of pharmacy. I am convinced that this book will be accepted by pharmacy professionals and students as a worthwhile contribution to the subject pharmacy practice in India.
Book Reviewed by: Dr. Ravindernath Kaul, Germany

As India has been considered a destination point for off-shoring of clinical trials, clinical research, more so, the training of man-power has taken a driver`s seat in pharmaceutical development. A large number of academies have mushroomed recently for this purpose. Great many experts are involved in the training programmes. But only few have the real flavour of the intricacies of the subject of clinical research, least the fundamentals of Clinical Research.
The present book, describes the three basic pillars of clinical research namely, medicine, statistics and operations (the logistics of research). The real issues such as the choice of subjects, treatments, randomization and blinding, statistical analysis and inferences are very core to any clinical trial. The distinctive features of biomedical studies are the study protocol, sample size, characteristics of patients to be enrolled, treatment choice, reducing bias, cross-over design, parametric and non-parametric inferences. The book has indepth description on drug development process and various phases of clinical trials. While dealing with the subject matter, the authors have made a practical approach, in that they describe with examples and analyse which would help the beginners in biomedical research to understand and appreciate the importance of statistics in clinical research.
The book is divided into twelve chapters and each chapter is further divided in to several sections which makes the reader to understand the matter in an organised fashion.
The authors, one of them being a statistician (AB) and the other (GDC) is a physician, who come from diverse background and academic interest make an invincible `combo` in addressing a very complex subject of clinical research. They are one of the few scientists who have prepared numerous regulatory dossiers for pharmaceutical companies. The book is well organised and written in a user-friendly manners which will serve both the students and faculty of clinical research. It is recommended for all institutions/academies who are running such courses. It is also for the first time an Indian publishers (Career Publications) has the rights to distribute in India the publications of Springer, a global approach like the clinical research.

Book Reviewed by: S.K. Kulkarni, Professor of Pharmacology

India is now considered a hub for global clinical research. With increase in number of global clinical studies being carried out, there is also a need for developing an equally efficient and strong Pharmacovigilance system. The molecule undergoing clinical development has to demonstrate both safety and efficacy not only in clinical trials, but over a period of time. After the Vioxx tragedy and other recent high profile drug withdrawals, there is an elevated public concern regarding product safety post marketing. It is thus becoming imperative to proactively recognize the importance of risk identification and risk assessment in early in drug development process.
Pharmacovigilance, the last phase in the drug development, is critical to the protection of public health and involves continuous monitoring of the safe use of medicinal products. It is the science relating to the detection, assessment, understanding and prevention of the adverse effects of medicines. According to the World Health Organization, any Phamacovigilance programme should improve patient care and safety, encourage the safe and rational use of drugs and should assess the risk / benefit ratio.
The book entitled “Elements of Pharmacovigilance” gives a comprehensive view on various aspects of Pharmacovigilance. The individual authors have meticulously discussed some of the newer perspectives like Pharmacovigilance in Unani Medicine, dental products, over the counter (OTC) drugs, vaccines and the current scenario of herbal drug safety.
It should serve a comprehensive guide for all health care professionals, researchers, academicians and regulators. The authors and the publishers are to be commended for producing an excellent and timely resource for researchers and practitioners with an interest in this subject. 

Book Reviewed by Dr. Nilima A Kshirsagar

Dr. Nilima A Kshirsagar, Acting Vice Chancellor, Maharashtra Univrsity of Health Sciences, Nashik, Dean, ESIC, PGIMSR, Mumbai Emeritus Professor of Clinical Pharmacology G. S. Medical College, KEM Hospital Parel, Mumbai

History of Pharmacy in India and Related Aspects, Volume 7 Builders and Awareness Creators of Modern Pharmacy 4
Professor Harkishan Singh chose several years ago to explore the history of modern pharmacy in India, covering the span of the last few centuries, including the pharmaceutical progress in independent India. He has collected a great deal of historical material through his travels to different libraries in India and abroad and through considerable scholarly correspondence. I have visited his home in Chandigarh and seen the collection, which occupies two rooms in the upper floor of his house. In my opinion, it is the largest collection of literature on the pharmaceutical history of India under one roof, and Prof. Singh continues to expand the collection. With hard work and tireless devotion, Prof. Singh has contributed significantly to the field of the “History of Pharmacy in India and Related Aspects.” His standing as a science historian has been recognised in his election to the prestigious Académie International d’Historie de la Pharmacie. He has published six books so far on this subject: Volume 1: Pharmacopoeias and Formularies (1994); Volume 2: Pharmaceutical Education (1998); Volume 3: Pharmacy Practice (2002); Volume 4: Builders and Awareness Creators of Modern Pharmacy 1 Mahadeva Lal Schroff and the Making of Modern Pharmacy (2005); Volume 5: Builders and Awareness Creators of Modern Pharmacy 2 (2008); Volume 6: Builders and Awareness Creators of Modern Pharmacy 3 Medico-Pharmaceutical Professionals (2009).
Prof. Singh now presents his latest book in this series Volume 7: Builders and Awareness Creators of Modern Pharmacy 4. This monograph is devoted to Sir Ram Nath Chopra, his work, vision and legacy. In the earlier Volume 6, the author has described the life and contributions of R.N.Chopra. Volume 7 is mainly a compilation, reproducing as in original the historical addresses delivered and writings on scientific and professional topics of Chopra. A part of pioneering research paper on Rauwolfia by Chopra and his work on drug addiction is reproduced in this book. An article written by Chopra about problems and prospects of pharmacology career in India with his own experiences in life is also reprinted here. Articles by his disciple Dr. B. Mukerji (to whom this book is dedicated) on his preceptor’s role as crusader of pharmacology and promoter of pharmacy as well as a consolidated list of Chopra’s publications is also appended in this book. Among the men who have adorned the Indian medical profession in the 20th century, Sir Ram Nath Chopra occupies the foremost position. He was pioneer in the study of indigenous drugs in India and an outstanding luminary in the field of medical education and research. He is widely acclaimed as the Father of Indian Pharmacology. His glory was that of a pioneer and a crusader blazing the trial in a so far untrodden field, full of potentialities. Chopra was elected as a Fellow of practically all the scientific bodies and educational organisations in India, including National Academy of Sciences. In 1925, he was elected President of the Medical and Veterinary Research Section of Indian Science Congress and again in 1938 the President of the Physiology Section during the jubilee session. He was President of Indian Science Congress held in Patna in 1948.
Prof. Singh has compiled in this book 10 addresses delivered by Chopra on various occasions at the scientific Congresses. Chopra lectured on various subjects and gave expressions to his view and experiences on the subjects of pharmacology and related sciences, indigenous drugs, Indian systems of medicine, pharmaceutical developments and other varied topics. In his addresses, he referred also to Drugs Enquiry Committee (1930-31), which he chaired. The report of this committee made cogent recommendations, which paved the way for the drugs and pharmacy legislations, pharmacopoeial publications and development of the pharmacy profession. After going through these lectures delivered by Chopra and his writings, one gets an impression of his deep knowledge, his vision and the concepts he presented for the development of the medical and pharmaceutical profession in India. He wanted the utilisation of the local resources for the indigenous production of drugs so as to reach the masses of India at lower prices and, thus reduce the cost of treatment of diseases.
The pioneer work done by Chopra and associates on Rauwolfia serpentine, Benth referred in one chapter of this book, gained prominence two decades later as a source of reserpine. In 1933, it was reported by his group that an alkaloid obtained from the plant on experimental studies in animals showed central depressant properties and lowered the blood pressure.
The works of Chopra on drug addiction and wide spread abuse of such drugs as opium, cannabis, cocaine and alcohol which was prevalent in many parts of India, attracted international attention. He produced a wealth of material to combat and treat their deleterious effects, all worth reading material in this book.
Another chapter in this book volume is the description by Chopra about the problems and prospects of pharmacological career in India with his own experiences in life. He writes about his studies in England and his work in pharmacology with Walter E. Dixon, the first Professor of Pharmacology in the newly established Chair in Cambridge. His enthusiasm to work on this subject on his return back to India came after a decade when he got the first Chair of the Pharmacology in the newly opened School of Tropical Medicine, Calcutta. His pioneer work on indigenous drugs and the disease problems in India which he later carried in Drug Research laboratory, Jammu are of educative value and worth reading in this book. Prof. Singh has presented in appendices I and II, the original writings of B.Mukerji about Sir Ram Nath Chopra and the growth and development of pharmacology and pharmacy in India; all very excellent tutorial material. The author has also given a complete list of publications of Chopra (more than 400) in appendix III, a very impressive record of Chopra’s work.
This volume written by Prof. Singh like others in the series is rigorously researched and meticulously referred. This book is very well written and the lectures and other great works of Chopra are nicely complied. By reading this book and the lectures of Chopra, one gets a fairly good impression as how much problems India faced both in the medical and pharmaceutical fields in the first half of the 20th century. The contributions of Chopra and other builders and awareness creators of modern pharmacy have created that illumination, the fruits of which we are enjoying today in the medical and the pharmaceutical progress of India. This book should be very much recommended to the pharmaceutical and drug professional in the universities and the industries as well as to all the pharmaceutical and drug authorities in India and abroad. This book volume also teaches us that the great works and dreams of Sir Ram Nath Chopra are still to be realized so as to make India self sufficient in health sector.

 
Book Reviewed by Dr. Ravindernath Kaul, Germany

Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) is a quality system concerned with the organizational process and conditions under which non-clinical health and environmental safety studies are conducted. This system, which has been evolved by the member countries of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), helps to ensure the quality of data produced by laboratories by harmonizing the practices and provides international acceptance to safety data generated in GLP-certified test facilities.
The book, ‘How to Practice GLP’ authored by Sh. P. P. Sharma, former Dy. Drugs Controller, Delhi is a comprehensive volume on different aspects of GLP.
The book starts with a good introduction which talks about the evolution of GLP. The book has 7 well written chapters and the author has very meticulously shared his expertise. In this book the author has described all concepts, terminologies, guidelines and different approaches in GLP. Chapter 1 deals with basic concepts in Quality. In Chapter 2, the author talks in detail about inspection and its planning. Chapter 3 goes deep into the sampling and sampling plans. Chapter 4 describes an important area of Statistical Quality control. Chapter 5 explains the quality of analytical methodologies and analytical method validation. Chapter 6 deals with concepts in safety planning and management and bio-safety and related emergency procedures and Chapter 7 is all about the practice of GLP in general that also includes premises, personnel, equipment SOPs etc.
Some of the highlights of the book are:

• Texts of several GLPs are reproduced including draft Indian GLP (Schedule L-1), OECD GLP and USFDA GLP.

• List of OECD publications on principles of GLP

• “How to” guidelines for GLP implementation.

• Information on National GLP Compliance Monitoring Authority.

• Chapters on basic concepts like Quality, Inspection, Sampling and statistical quality control (SQC)

• Appendices also include list of hazardous and toxic chemicals as laid down in the Chemical and Accidents (Emergency Planning Preparedness and Response) Rules, 1996 – Schedule I, Text of Breeding of and Experiments on Animals (Control and Supervision) Rules, 1998

The patient will always want to have a drug that is of good quality, pure, safe and efficacious. The author has done a commendable job by writing a book on an area that is so vital to the consumer. He deserves all appreciation and congratulations. This book will be useful for professionals involved in drug testing labs, Quality control, faculty and students of pharmacy, drug regulatory officers and other consultants.
Book Reviewed by Raman Sehgal, Associate Editor, The Pharma Review, New Delhi, India (MSc; Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences). 

Modern Dispensing Pharmacy

The authors of the book entitled “Modern Dispensing Pharmacy” (3rd Edition) published by Career Publications, Hyderabad has discussed the subject in 20 chapters (articles) covered in 430 pages and also contains an appendix. The overall presentation of the book is very good. Objective of the book is to preserve the basics of the art of compounding while adding modern concepts of dispensing pharmacy. In the revised third edition, book covers development of pharmacy, role of pharmacist as health care provider, prescription writing & prescription handling, art of compounding, concepts of dispensing pharmacy, compounding & dispensing of different pharmaceutical dosage forms etc. Wherever required, pictograms, tables and graphics have been provided for better understanding of the subject. In addition to point wise and schematic presentation, the description of every point is summarized under Concept Clear, which facilitates the subject understanding. Though rich by content, the overall presentation of the book is not quite impressive. At page 15 and from page 129 to 132, the prescriptions in boxes are not readable. Figure 18.6 at P. 374 was shady. Despite these little drawbacks, this book is expected to be useful for budding pharmacists as well as educators and practicing pharmacists.

 
Book reviewed by Mr. R. K. Rishi

Concepts on Chronopharmacology

 
Metabolic fate of drug is a function of time. The importance of 'Chronopharmacology' is now being felt in almost all branches of pharmaceutical sciences including drug design, drug development, bioavailability, efficacy, toxicology and administration. In Ayurveda, the importance of circadian rhythm was well recognized since ancient times and the medicines were prescribed to a patient with due consideration to time. Recently, pharmacologists have discovered that drugs when given with body rhythms showed not only synergistic effects but also caused fewer side effects. We all know sleeping pills should be taken at night for maximum effects.

The book entitled "Concepts in Chronopharmacolgy" is a well written book with an aim to impress upon the importance of 'time' in pharmaceutical sciences. In Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 the author talks about the importance of Chronopharmacokinetics and Chronopharmacodynamics of the drugs. Different contributing authors have very interestingly discussed the role of biological clock in Infectious diseases, human reproduction, cardiovascular disorders, respiratory disorders, diabetes, cancer, psychiatric disorders. A chapter each on Chronotherapy and Chronotoxicology is very interesting. The seasonal rhythms are very well exhibited in figures throughout the book. After reading the book, one can easily conclude the message given to the readers 'receiving an apt medication at right form, at right dose and also at
the right TIME'. I would like to congratulate both the editors and senior researchers Dr. N. Udupa and Dr. P. D Gupta for bringing out such a wonderful compilation on a rare but interesting topic.
I sincerely hope it will be very useful to all pharmaceutical professionals.

 
Book reviewed by Dr. Rajat Sethi, Assistant Professor, Texas A &M Health Science Center, College of Pharmacy, Kingsville, Texas and Raman Sehgal, MS Pharmacology (AIIMS, India)

Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry Volume-I

 
Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry - volume 1 book is an updated version of First edition and is much improved both in qualitative and quantitative aspects. This book provides deep information and understanding of the subject Pharmacognosy and various drugs of Natural origin. The book is divided into 21 chapters dealing with introduction of Phannacognosy, its linkage with Pharmaceutical botany and details of commercial and quality control aspects of herbals which are well desired these days. The book provides sufficient knowledge for the microscopical analysis and processing of crude drugs. Further, the book has a chapter on Extraction and isolation of phytoconstituents where the information is found less sufficient and some latest isolation and purification techniques can be added in detail. However, the chapters on Biosynthetic pathways and elucidation techniques and remaining chapters on Fixed oils and fats, carbohydrates, Glycosides, Tannins, volatile oils, Resins, Alkaloids, Enzymes, Drugs of mineral origin, Natural fibres are very well written giving the most relevant information on classification, biosynthesis, chemical tests, production, quality control aspects and related individual drugs details. One chapter on Drugs from marine sources should also have been included.

 
The printing and binding of book, presentation of chapters and design of cover page is very impressive. Figures, sketches and chemical structures are suitably and sufficiently incorporated. Language of the book is simple, understandable and with comparatively less topographic mistakes.

 
Moreover, author of the book, Prof. Vinod D. Rangari, Principal, J. L. Chaturvedi College of Pharmacy, Nagpur, has a good reputation in the field of herbal research. His vast experience in the field of herbal standardisation has been reflected well in the presentation of this book which has made it different from all other text books written on this subject.

 
This book will be more useful and will serve as the text book for the students of undergraduate level. Students can find sufficient and updated information on the topics they need in their curriculum. Few chapters like Commerce and quality control, Production of crude drugs, General Biosynthetic pathways and techniques for elucidation ofbiosynthetic pathways will also be useful for postgraduate students.

 
Overall, the book Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry - volume 1 is well written with sufficient information which will be of great use for undergraduate students of Pharmacy.

 
Book reviewed by Prof. S.H. Ansari, Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi

Pharmaceutical Science is fast evolving entity and encompasses diverse fields like anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, chemistry, formulation, engineering, marketing etc. More recently, biotechnology too has become an undeniable part of pharmaceutical industry.

 
We come across new words on a daily basis and are frequently in need of a resource that we can refer in times of need.

 
The author has very meticulously used his experience in the pharmaceutical industry and has presented latest technological terms that are often encountered today. The author has aptly given more thrust on current and contemporary knowledge rather than history and origin of pharmaceutical sciences.

 
The "Dictionary of Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology" would be of immense help to undergraduate and post graduate students of pharmacy, biotechnology, medicine, nursing and allied health sciences. In addition, it will also serve as a reference material for pharmaceutical and biotech industry.

 
I congratulate Dr. Kohli, a senior member of the Indian pharmaceutical industry for coming out with an updated dictionary that combines the intertwined fields of pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.

 
Dictionary reviewed by: Dr Rajat Sethi (Assistant Professor, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, A&M Health Science Center, Texas)

Over a period of time, pharmaceutical science has evolved from mere compounding and dispensing of drugs. Recent advances in understanding disease and genetic make-up have necessitated the need to optimize and individualize drug therapy. The concern today is to produce a dosage form which is not only pharmaceutically elegant, but releases the drug at the target site at a desired rate and uniformly maintains the extent of absorption. Thus, the twin disciplines of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics play a critical role in drug development.

 
This textbook "Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics – A Treatise" by Dr. Brahmankar and Dr Jaiswal has 15 very well written chapters. The chapter on Absorption of Drugs has been dealt with comprehensively as most of its principles also form the basis of drug distribution and elimination. Elaborate treatment of text on Biotransformation of Drugs in Chapter 5 is justified since a pharmacy student is well versed with the basic chemistry and enzymology. A brief mention about Bioactivation and Tissue Toxicity has been included at the end of this chapter so that after understanding the mechanisms of drug metabolism, a student will be better placed to appreciate their significance. Prodrugs discussed in chapter 6 give insight into the manner in which chemical formulation techniques can be utilized to overcome some of the inherent Biopharmaceutics and pharmacokinetic problems of the active principles. Mathematical treatment of chapter on pharmacokinetics has been kept to at modest level in order not to overburden the students with the complexities of equations and formulae. A brief description of methods usually employed to enhance the bioavailability of a drug from its formulation has been included at the end of chapter 12. In addition to covering various aspects of design and dosage regimens and application of pharmacokinetic principles in clinical situations, the text contains a final chapter on Controlled Release Medication to familiarize the students with the principles involved in the design of innovative formulations.
The authors have used very simple language for easy grasp of the subject. Also, simple figures and tables are liberally used throughout the book for better understanding. In addition, revision questions including numericals at the end of each chapter are designed strategically to complement the text of the chapter.

 
The book would be of immense help to B. Pharm, M. Pharm and PhD students.

 
I would like to congratulate the authors for an excellent attempt to address one of the dynamic areas of drug research.

 
Book Reviewed by:  by Raman Sehgal, Senior Clinical Research Scientist; ICON Clinical Research Pvt. Ltd., M.S. (Pharmacology); All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi

As compared to western countries, we in India are hardly aware of our history of pharmacy, development of our institutions and of builders and creators of these temples of learning. The fact is that not much literature was available to the pharmacy professionals in our country. Professor Harkishan Singh, a prominent medicinal chemist and a pharmaceutical historian of international repute has done pioneer work by doing intensive research on the pharmaceutical history both in pre- and post-independence period of India. With tremendous zeal, hard work and tireless devotion, the author has given birth to a new topic "History of Pharmacy in India and Related Aspects". He has summarised his efforts with his archival collections (bound into more than 1200 volumes) in various monographs: Volume 1 Pharmacopoeias and Formularies, Volume 2 Pharmaceutical Education, Volume 3 Pharmacy Practice. These books have revolutionized understanding the history of pharmacy in India of last 200 hundred years and given Indian science valuable documents untraced or unknown so far.

 
The present progress of pharmacy education, pharmaceutical profession and industrial developments in India is the concentrated efforts of many intellectuals and visionaries of the country. Prof. Singh has not missed to write the biographies and achievements of these great men, whom he describes as "Builders and Awareness Creators of Modern Pharmacy". In the book History of Pharmacy and Related Aspects Volume 4, Series1 (2005), he has published the biography of Mahedeva Lal Schroff, the father of modern pharmaceutical education in India. Prof. Schroff laid the foundation of pharmacy education from 1932 -1943 at Banaras Hindu University (BHU). Besides this, he took active part in various pharmaceutical professional bodies in the Govt. of India and in the pharmaceutical industry as well as in the promotion of pharmaceutical journalism.

 
Prof. Singh has done biographical studies of many more prominent pharmaceutical luminaries, who worked tirelessly for the profession of pharmacy in the country. He has now published Volume 5, Series 2 of the builders and awareness creators of modern pharmacy. 12 luminaries have been selected and a chapter is dedicated to each of them. Each one of them made significant contributions for organisation of the profession, development of the pharmaceutical education and sciences, industry, statutory control on drugs and pharmacy, pharmacy practice and other aspects of pharmacy.

 
The responsibility of guiding the pharmacy department at BHU was given in 1943 to Nitai Krishna Basu, who further organised the pharmaceutical education and laid the firm foundation of the pharmacy studies in the country. He was assisted in his mission by three other devoted faculty members, Dhirendra Nath Majumdar, Gurakh Prasad Srivastava and Sankatha Prasad. They all worked together to make BHU the first temple of learning and a place of pilgrimage for pharmacist. With spirited zeal and devotion, these four missionaries of Indian pharmacy continued to serve the cause of education and profession and stayed in the department till superannuation. During this period the department of pharmaceutics at BHU attained the status of world level institution of pharmaceutical education and research. The author has written the life and works of these four great pioneers of pharmacy and sacrifices they made for the profession in 4 separate chapters. No other person can better describe their contribution than Prof Singh, since he himself was a student and a faculty member at BHU.

 
The most significant contribution of Ratilal Prabhudas Patel has been the creation and building of Lallabhai Motilal College of Pharmacy at Ahmedabad, the growth and destiny of which he guided for 17 years. He was professionally very active and served the cause through the medium of Indian Pharmaceutical Association and Pharmacy Council of India. All these constitute an impressive set of credentials but, in spite of that, he did not get an appropriate place in the history of Indian pharmacy. The author has paid rich tributes to him and mentioned at the end of the chapter, "The name of this prominent pioneer of pharmacy deserves to be rehabilitated".

 
Manohar Lal Khorana was an academician, a complete pharmaceutical scientist, associated with professional and statutory bodies. His works and achievements in promoting pharmacy journalism and his other contributions to the pharmacy profession in India are worth reading in this book.

 
The life works and efforts of Surendra Nath Biswas, an enlightened Calcutta based chemist and druggist and a well-read and well-informed professional of India is briefly but precisely described. Biswas expressed about the lack of education of chemists and druggists and formalised education for the pharmacists. He struggled for upgrading the pharmacy profession and working conditions of pharmacists in the country and wrote endlessly on the subject.

 
Keshab Chandra Chatterjee distinguished himself as a prominent pharmacy leader. His role in the pharmaceutical industry and allied aspects, consolidating the Indian Pharmaceutical Association, Pharmacy Act and Pharmaceutical Services are highly recognised. He was an educationist and a man of many parts.

 
Homi Ruttonji Nanajee was an educationist, worked in professional and statutory bodies and contributed to pharmacy practice and worked in professional forums. His leading role in drugs control, in drug analysis as analyst, and promotion of drug industry are well known and recognised. Prof. Singh has given a realistic contribution of this great son of pharmacy in 32 pages with 7 historical pictures.

 
Bhupendra Vallabhbhai Patel left deep impression in building modern pharmacy in India. His role in pioneering the development and consolidation of the pharmacy profession has been applauded. He graduated in pharmacy and became an accomplished pharmacologist. Prof. Singh has described in detail the role B.V. Patel played in pharmaceutical forums, statutory bodies and pharmacy practice, structuring the drugs control and promotion of pharmaceutical education. He left a deep impact in the building of modern pharmacy in India. His accomplishments are so great that the author has dedicated 34 pages on him in his book.

 
The contribution of Baij Nath Vyas, a pharmacologist by profession as the first president of the United Provinces Pharmaceutical Association and later named as Indian Pharmaceutical Association are briefly but well recorded. India lost in him one of the foremost physicians of the country, first President of Indian Pharmaceutical Association and its promoter, an ardent supporter of pharmaceutical education and profession.

 
Prof. Singh has dedicated this book to the memory of Jyotish Chandra Ghosh, "the forgotten and unsung pioneer of pharmacy" and written one chapter on him. Very little was known of this man in the pharmacy history of India and he practically faded away quickly from the memory of the profession. J.C.Ghosh made significant contributions toward pharmaceutical and allied fields. His contributions include the areas of pharmaceutical and technological education, indigenous drugs, pharmaceutical and chemical industry and drugs and pharmaceutical legislations. The author has made great efforts to trace the life and works of this man from different archives in India and abroad and rediscovered this great luminary of Indian pharmacy.

 
The author has done great service to the profession of pharmacy by publishing this volume. The book is excellently written and it is a treasure for the pharmacy profession of India. It is a rigorously researched book volume. Prof. Singh is known to be very thorough in writing detail and each chapter is well referenced. In the appendices the speeches of some luminaries are also recorded, which makes the reader understand the problems of the pharmacy professions in the initial years of India's independence. This book should be very much recommended to the pharmaceutical and drug professionals in the universities and the industries as well as to all the pharmaceutical and drug authorities in the country. This book also teaches us that a few great men have made pharmacy in India.

  
Book Reviewed by: Dr Ravindernath Kaul, Germany

Professor Harkishan Singh has continued his research on profiling the lives and contributions of the pharmaceutical luminaries who laid the foundation of pharmacy education and profession in the country. He now presents his latest book on History of Pharmacy in India and Related Aspects Volume 6, Builders and Awareness Creators of Modern Pharmacy 3 under subtitle: Medico-Pharmaceutical Professionals.

 
Several medico-pharmaceutical professionals have contributed to pharmaceutical developments in India. Brevet Colonel Sir Ram Nath Chopra and his onetime associates Professor Khem Singh Grewal and Dr Bhishnupada Mukerji stand for their direct involvement in the building of modern pharmacy in India. Not only did they distinguish themselves as pharmacologists, their role in making of modern pharmacy was equally important. Prof. Singh has profiled the lives and achievements of these medico-pharmaceutical professionals in this volume and devoted one chapter to each of them. This book is dedicated to the memory of Brevet Col. Sir Ram Nath Chopra, "parent of pharmacology, pioneer of systematic studies of indigenous drugs, promoter of Indian systems of medicine and patron of pharmacy". The major field of Col. Chopra´s research were general pharmacology, chemotherapy, indigenous drugs, drug addiction and drug assays. Brevet Col. Sir Ram Nath Chopra, a legendary medico-pharmaceutical professional has left behind a rich legacy. Prof. Singh has paid rich tributes to this titan of Indian medical sciences.

 
Professor Khem Singh Grewal was an accomplished pharmacologist of his time. He had varied research interests including the study of medicinal plants. He participated in carrying out comprehensive survey on incidence of cancer in India. His most conspicuous pharmaceutical contribution is the founding of pharmaceutical education at the University of Panjab, Lahore. A continuum of Lahore centre is now the famous University Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Panjab University, Chandigarh, which stands as a living memorial to the pioneering Grewal. The author has highly commended the sacrifices and achievements of Prof. Khem Singh Grewal in the development of pharmacy in India during the difficult pre- and post- independence period of Punjab.

 
Dr Bishnupada Mukerji was the builder of the Biochemical Standardisation Laboratory and the statutory Central Drugs Laboratory, Calcutta. He conceptualized the creation of a national institute of drug research, which led to the establishment of the Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, the development of which Dr Mukerji guided for a number of years as the director. Dr Mukerji significantly helped the developments of pharmacology and there is no part of the pharmaceutical activity in which he did not leave an enduring impact. Prof. Singh writes at the end of the chapter "Looking to his role in building pharmacology and pharmacy, undeniably Dr Bishnupada Mukerji stands tall as a medico-pharmaceutical professional of great merit of our land.”

 
This book like the previous volumes in the series is rigorously researched and meticulously referred. The chapters are well documented with subtitles describing the phases of education, academic achievements and the contributions of these luminaries in the pharmaceutical developments of India. Some historical pictures make this book very interesting to read. In the appendices, important speeches of B.Mukerjee and R.N. Chopra at various conferences are well recorded. Unluckily there is no record of K.S.Grewals`s papers, as most of the documents seem to have been left behind in Lahore at the time of partition. This volume book should be a part of the libraries of pharmaceutical and medical institutions and should be very much recommended to the pharmaceutical and medical professionals in India and abroad. This book is also meant for health politicians as reference background to understand as how medical and pharmacy professionals have to work together to solve the health problems of our masses. The great contributions of these three medico-pharmaceutical professional souls and other builders and awareness creators of modern pharmacy have created that illumination, the fruits of which we are enjoying today in the pharmaceutical progress of India.

 
Book Reviewed by: Dr Ravindernath Kaul, Germany

Academicians around the world have a professional obligation to ensure that dispensing chemists / pharmacy assistants are competent enough in the areas in which they are working to a minimum prescribed standard.

 
Thus, the demand for a simple, standard and a complete textbook on Dispensing pharmacy for pharmacy students at diploma / degree level has been felt for a long time.

 
This textbook “Dispensing Pharmacy” by R. M. Mehta has various well written chapters on General dispensing procedures, labeling of dispensed products, containers and closures used for various dosage forms and Posology.

 
Chapter 7 in the textbook discusses various Solid dosage forms (Tablets, Capsules, Pills, Lozenges, Powders etc) in detail. Chapter 8, 9 and 10 deals with Monophasic (both preparations for internal and external use) and Biphasic liquid dosage forms (Suspensions and emulsions).
Chapter on Semi-solid dosage forms (ointments, pastes, jellies, creams etc) gives an overview of the method of preparation, differences amongst various semi solid dosage forms, additives used in formulation, applications, their merits and demerits and incorporates formula for some of the official pharmacopoeial preparations.

 
Chapter on Ophthalmic and Sterile dosage forms discusses eye preparations like eye drops, eye ointments, eye lotions, eye suspensions, essential characteristics of these dosage forms, types of parenteral solutions, their formulation etc in detail. The chapter also enlists the various sterility tests carried out as per the pharmacopeia.

 
Also, this book can also serve as a manual for practical for dispensing pharmacy for both Diploma and B. Pharma students.
In addition, the chapter on Pharmaceutical calculations, incompatibilities in prescriptions and additives is an additional feature of the book.
Following the chapters, the book also incorporates some useful appendices. Appendix 1 and 2 discusses the human and veterinary doses of drugs respectively; their uses and preferred route of administrations. Appendix 3 of the book contains a list of references recommended for further reading.
 

Some of the salient features of the book include:

• Very simple language for easy grasp of the subject.

• Vivid diagrams and illustrations for better understanding of the subject.

• Revision questions at the end of each chapter.

The book would be of immense help to undergraduate and post graduate pharmacy students and related disciplines of medicine and nursing.
I would like to congratulate the author for an excellent compilation on Dispensing Pharmacy.

 
Book Reviewed by: Raman Sehgal, Senior Clinical Research Scientist; ICON Clinical Research Pvt. Ltd.
                                     M.S. (Pharmacology); All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi

MRI Spectroscopy was discovered by Felix Bloch (Stanford University) and Edward Mills Purcell (Harvard University) way back in 1946. Since the 1980s, MRI has grown to be an indispensable tool in the medical diagnosis of many maladies especially of soft tissue, such as the brain and spine. Its application to biomedical sciences and subsequently in the field of life sciences, agriculture, geological sciences, food technology is noteworthy.

 
The book “Looking into living things through MRI” covers a very wide range of systems and phenomena, and will not only inform the reader about the less familiar areas, but will suggest new ideas useful in human medicine.
The chapter on Wood discusses the process of drying of young wood, giving an account of water movement from central vascular tissue elements and exit route by capillary process, resulting in final product wood. This is immensely readable scientific account of wood structure as seen by MRI.

 
The book has well written chapters on applications of MRI in various fields like food science where the authors have meticulously described how this technique can be used in a simple and efficient way to monitor the quality of apples, citrus fruit and wine grapes. Other applications discussed in the book include providing new possibilities of exploring seafood, meat structure and ripening process of Iberian Ham by MRI.

 
Chapter 8 provides an insight into Bread making process from dough stage to baked product. The chapter also reviews 'croissants' and 'sandwich' structure. One is also taken to cellular level of organization of living things by MR Spectroscopy.

 
Chapter on MRCP (Magnetic Resonance Cholangio Pancreatography) shows MRI in clinical scenario; chapter on new MRI pulse sequences provides research angle. Likewise, Lithium in mammalian systems explores possibilities with other magnetic nuclei amenable to MRI.

 
Chapter on MR study of implantology illustrates new application of MRI in the field of dentistry. A chapter on clinical application of MRI discusses the use of this technique in oncology, lungs. The difficulties faced in respect of proton imagine such as motional artifacts are reduced with the help of asymmetric imaging and rapid line scan and the study of lung diseases like pulmonary edema and emphysema are also presented.

 
The book also has a well written MRI on Nanotechnology on which discusses nanomagnetic probes for bioimaging. The authors have provided extensive examples, rich bibliography, scans, illustrations and graphs where ever required.

 
This is an informative, admirable and much overdue book that provides insights into diverse life forms. The book for the first time provides a glimpse of the clinical and non-clinical applications. I would like to congratulate the author and the experts for an excellent compilation.

 
Book Reviewed by: Dr. Anshu Rohatgi, Senior Consultant Neurologist, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi

Last year when I went to Banaras University campus to attend the 59th IPC In December 2007, I was most happy to meet Prof Harkishan Singh " A Mine of Information on Pharmaceutical Sciences and History". He was introduced to me by another master of pharmaceutical education, Dr. B.D. Miglani whom I have known for many years through our interaction in the journal - Eastern Pharmacist which closed down some years ago.

 
The contents of Prof. Harkishan Singh's book Views and Reviews is a compilation of over 100 articles which he has written, from the article titled "Research in Pharmacy" published in Pharma student (BHU) in 1954 to"Education at Punjab University" published in the souvenir of the 12th APTI Convention at Chandigarh in 2007.
 

These articles provide you with the story of the rise and transformation of the Indian Pharma Industry / Academia in the last 50 years, including the various associations / Organisations / Committees formed during this period and where they stand today.

 
But the best part of this " Mine of Information" are the chapters dealing with Who's Who's of the Pharmaceutical Academia in India, pharmacists who have contributed and helped the industry to reach where it stands today, an industry of Global Standing. If not for Prof. Harkishan Singh's articles on them, most of these stalwarts would have been forgotten. This well documented book form Prof. Harkishan Singh must not only find a place in all Pharmaceutical College libraries in India as well as abroad but also as a reference book in all other libraries where people want to know about the India Pharma Academia.

 
Book Reviewed by: Mr. Triloki Bazaz, Consultant, The Pharma Review

Cosmetics are so extensively used articles that their use begins with rising from the bed in the morning (e.g. toothpaste/ toothpowder) till late in the evening while going to bed (e.g. night creams). This calls for them to be of good quality. Books help in improving quality of the products.

The book, Cosmetics-Formulation, Mfg. & Quality Control authored by Sh. P. P. Sharma, former Dy. Drugs Controller, Delhi is a comprehensive volume on different aspects of cosmetics. Besides introduction which contains history of development of cosmetics, the book has eight parts. Part one deals with regulatory provisions, plant layout for cosmetics manufacture, theoretical aspects of processes used in the manufacture of cosmetics, commonly used raw materials and an important chapter on minimization of microbial contamination in cosmetics. Part two deals with cosmetics for skin. Part three deals with cosmetics for hair. Part four deals with cosmetics for the eyes. Part five deals with the cosmetics for the nails. Part six deals with the cosmetics for the teeth. Part seven deals with miscellaneous cosmetics like fragrances, aerosols, toilet soaps, baby cosmetics and now a days sought after cosmetics-herbal cosmetics. Part eight deals with quality control of cosmetics. This part is very important from the point of view of safety of consumers.

The author has aptly written chapters giving general information about a cosmetic category, formulation considerations including likely characteristics of finished cosmetics by using ingredients which have functional uses like moisturizer, emollient, cleansing etc., general methods of manufacture of cosmetics and also specific methods of manufacture if the method has intricacies of chemical reaction or safety problems. Some of the highlights of the book are:

• a chapter on herbal cosmetics including list of herbs, methods of decoction, extracts flower waters etc.;

• a chapter on baby cosmetics; l a chapter on fragrances including essential oils, synthetic aromatic chemicals, fixation, compounding, maturing etc.;

• a chapter on toilet soap including methods of manufacture of soaps, characteristics of soaps and different types of soaps;

• a chapter on hypoallergenic cosmetics;

• a chapter on quality control of cosmetics citing Indian standards for cosmetics;

• a chapter on stability of cosmetics including parameters for tests and methodology;

• appendices listing names of some machinery manufacturers and trade names of chemicals of some indigenous and some foreign manufacturers.

The author has done a commendable job by writing a book on cosmetics right from plant layout to formulation to manufacture to quality control and stability studies. He deserves appreciation and congratulations. With a wide area of information on cosmetics, this book will be useful for cosmetic chemists, faculty and students of pharmacy, drug regulatory officers and consultants.

 
Book Reviewed by: Dr. P.D. Sethi, Pharma Analyst

Oral delivery of nearly one-half of the drug compounds gets thwarted owing to their high lipophilicity and consequently poor aqueous solubility. Oral bioavailability of such drugs, being function of their aqueous solubility and dissolution, tends to exhibit low magnitude and high intra- and inter-subject variability.
Oral lipid-based drug delivery systems have proved their immense potential in ameliorating the poor and inconsistent gastrointestinal absorption of poorly soluble drugs. Of late, an alarmingly high spurt of various literature instances and marketed products of such lipid-based formulations has been witnessed across the global pharma world. Despite the immense utilities of the lipid-based drug formulations, only limited reviews have been published dedicated to this specialized topic till date. The information on their diverse vistas lies mostly scattered in various texts and journals. Accordingly, the maiden attempt to bring forth the pertinent facts and figures in the form of an integrated volume is indeed a commendable and timely endeavor.
Written in lucid style, the book covers myriad aspects of lipid-based formulations and their usage in enhancing the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. The book has been divided into various chapters, each encompassing a sizable account on their design and development, in vitro characterization, in vivo animal studies, and eventually, establishment of IVIVC and IVIVR relationships. Besides, the mechanistic influence of various lipidic constituents and of such formulations during fasted and non-fasted states, and the ultimate fate of lipidic drug products in gastrointestinal milieu have been explicitly elaborated. Amongst the diverse types of self-emulsifying formulations dealt with in the book, important types include liquid SEDDS and SMEDDS, lipid-based isotropic solutions and solid dispersions, hard-capsule formats and supersaturable SEDDS. The remarkable highlight of this book is its industrial outlook that exclusively brings forth the current market status of these lipidic delivery systems, selection of various GRAS-listed excipients for their formulation development, and scaling up the prototype formulations to Phase I/II clinical trial batches.
Based on the famous adage, “a picture is worth one thousand words”, a diversity of illustrations have been immaculately presented as explicative graphs, photographs, methodology flow charts, apparatus outlines, tables, bar charts, etc. that make the book an interesting reading. Each chapter is adequately referenced to the pertinent and updated literature. Most book chapters have been contributed by a galaxy of authors, acclaimed in their respective domains of pharmaceutical technology, analytical research, pharmaceutics, process development, pathology, etc. Special inputs from industry experts tend to enrich the researchers on technical know-how of large scale production of such formulations.
The authors, however, have focused primarily on the conventional self-emulsifying formulations, missing due emphasis on the updates like positively-charged self-emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS), solid SEDDS and SEDDS of traditional herbal medicines, ample information on which is currently available from literature. It would be much more pragmatic if the newer and expanded edition of the book covers other relevant precepts like federal issues and toxicity concerns (especially when the particle/globule size falls in nano or sub-nano range), application of DoE optimization of such lipidic systems, technology for modification of liquid based systems into solid ones, integration of these methodologies with controlled release ones, and work examples on these novel drug delivery technologies. Another minor peccadillo of the book is that the authors explain the prevalent global perspective of these lipid-based formulations taking instances solely from developed nations representing various continents like USA, UK and Japan. It would be more holistic and pragmatic if the current scenario in the developing nations is also taken into apt consideration.
In nutshell, as already mentioned, the book is likely to serve the acute need of the hour. It can be a pleasure to the product development scientists, pharmacy students and researchers to familiarize themselves with the principles and methodology of lipid-based drug delivery systems. The book can be an excellent addition to the library shelves of drug manufacturing houses and pharmaceutical institutes.

 
Reviewed by: Prof. Bhupinder Singh Bhoop - University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Punjab University

 
S. Bandyopadhyay - UGC Meritorious Doctoral Research Fellow (Pharmaceutics), Panjab University, Chandigarh

 
E-mail: bsbhoop@yahoo.com

The packaging of Pharmaceuticals is as much important as the medicine or drug, which is being packed. The quality to any medicine cannot only be imparted by imparting quality in its contents but it is of immense importance how this quality is being protected with continuously changing atmospheric conditions. Proper packaging is the only way to give desired shelf-life to pharmaceuticals.

 
It has been seen that a large number of medicines do not give the desired therapeutic effect due to faulty packaging. Packaging technology has become a separate subject in pharmaceutical sciences due to its vital applications in preserving therapeutic efficacy of drugs. Before starting the book writing on this subject, we noticed that the subject was less understood and it has been compiled with few chapters in some books. This inspired us to present detailed account in the form of a specialized book on the subject. Also the Packaging Technology has emerged as separate subject among specialized subjects of Pharmacy curriculum of almost all Universities.

 
Present book comprises of 16 chapters. The starting page of each chapter consists of chapter summary, which will help the teachers, students and other co-readers in revision of contents of whole chapter in only few minutes. Further the content of each chapter is arranged to facilitate the effortless flow of information in simple, motivating, and commonsensical approach. Detailed physico-chemical information on raw material e.g., glass, plastic, polymers, metals etc., used in Pharmaceutical packaging is presented to facilitate conceptual use of raw material for a particular type of medicinal preparation. Since the raw materials are common for packaging of other products, the scientific information may further be helpful to allied persons who deal with any kind of packaging.

 
A positive effort has been made to cover up all individual and specialized aspects of Pharmaceutical packaging sciences. More information is provided on Pharmaceutical packaging design, based on characteristic properties of material used in packaging. Blister and strips packaging are of growing importance and so a chapter is included on this topic which would be of great value to our readers. Parenteral and ophthalmic products need sterilized packaging; therefore a chapter on sterilization, covering unique features for sterilizing packaging materials, has been included.

 
Because of rising role of European Union as a world center for Pharmaceutical regulation and because of the significance of international harmonization of drug standards, a new chapter on regulatory aspects of Pharmaceutical packaging has been added. Chapters on quality control and stability testing of packages would explain the shelf-life concern aspects of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) packed.

This book of Prof. Harkishan Singh is part 2 of part 1, Volume 4 written by him in the series “History of Pharmacy and Related Aspects” now designated as “Builders and Awareness Creators of Modem Pharmacy”. The book is Volume 5 in the series.

 
The book for the purpose of review can be broadly divided in two important sections. Section 1 “Preface, Acknowledgements, Introduction, and Index”. And Section-2 “Profiles of twelve prominent pharmaceutical personages of yesteryears detailing their contributions and lives and presidential addresses of six of them”. To satisfy inquisitiveness of readers, it may be pointed out that Prof. Singh, in part 1, Vol. 4 of the series, has honored Prof. M.L. Shroff by projecting him as titan and icon of Modern Pharmacy. He sees him as the maker of modern pharmacy of India. His profile does not appear in the volume under review except reference wherever necessary.

 
In the acknowledgement the author has expressed his gratitude to the management of archives and libraries of institutions in India and abroad, numbering about one dozen wherefrom he got valuable data for his write-up. The author also contacted individuals and organizations numbering nearly four hundred for same purpose. He has gracefully acknowledged their cooperation by their mention in index and text at appropriate places.

 
In preface and introduction, Prof. Singh gives reason for deviation in his original plan, namely concentration on three subject oriented plan to biographies of prominent individuals who contributed to building of modern pharmacy in India. In preface and introduction the author has made mention of development of western medical systems. As against this, the author observed that the pharmacy component remained largely neglected. It is perhaps, Prof. Singh's this contention that made him change the title. Maintaining his this line of thought, he states “unfortunately pharmacy stood neglected during the British period” that is in pre-independence era. The profession of pharmacy, the author states remained in unorganized and very poor state. The condition according to him was such that to modernize the profession was an uphill task. Its solution is also suggested by the author in the introduction. He states “I had available with me introductory information on many of the professionals who had worked for the building and awareness creation of modern pharmacy, which was a new discipline for us and it required a lot of struggle for getting pharmacy accepted as a partner in the modern health care system”. The way to tread above referred uphill task, Prof. Singh mentions the professionals of yore, who gained prominence during the colonial period and continued to be professionally active in early decades of independent India, could be short listed for profiling”. For this, he had in mind, as could be seen from mid part of Introduction, two stalwarts fulfilling such requirement (i) Jyotish Chandra Ghosh and (ii) Surendra Nath Biswas. In fact, for his regard and respect, Prof. Singh has dedicated the book to J.C. Ghosh stating “Dedicated to the memory of Jyotish Chandra Ghosh, the forgotten and unsung pioneer of Pharmacy”. It seems the author had in mind a shortlist of one dozen stalwarts. For other ten Prof. Singh turned his attention to pharmaceutical forums through which these ten stalwarts jointly sow seeds of modern pharmacy. These seeds broke the ground and the profession has grown to its present state say pillars of modern pharmacy. Most of the pioneers had active professional life ranging from 25 35 years. In the initial stage, they being from different disciplines, there was possibility of difference in their approach. Perhaps in view of this, he has arranged chapters / titled in their name, in alphabetical order.

 
In reference to profiles of twelve pharmaceutical personages, Prof. Singh states “it is done in a way that composite personality of each one is projected properly” This is followed by presidential address at Pharmaceutical Congress of six presidents, by way of seven appendices. The profiles are paragraphed under more or less similar titles, as early life and background; professional study and education, choice of discipline; contribution and achievements etc. Period of activity is stated wherever it is necessary. As stated earlier, it ranges between end of colonial period to early decade of independent India. This period-a wide spanning period of 19 - 20 years, has no sharp cut off line i.e. formation of The Drug Enquiry Committee of 1930 - 31 to enactment of two important professional legislations viz: Drugs Act 1940 and Pharmacy Act 1948. Former sowing the seeds of modern pharmacy and later seeds breaking ground as seedings of modern pharmacy. Former at the foot of uphill task and the latter at the top of it 'dawn of modern pharmacy'. Growth and development took place from these seedings till 1986 when the last luminary Shri Sanktha Prasad breathed his last a period of about 40 years. Prof. Harkishan Singh choice of title for both the volumes is based on this background.

 
While some thought of pursuing their professional activity in the field of education, others preferred research, quality control, industry etc. There were some who apart from their field of choice shared their professional competence by serving as visiting faculty in teaching institutions, consultants in industries and likewise. In the earlier years, their contribution in the field was published in foreign journals and publications. Later with formation of forums they got it published in national journals like Pharma Times; Indian Journal of Pharmacy and similar other publications of pharmaceutical associations and organizations. The stalwarts were however united in the areas like professional education, growth and development of profession of pharmacy and importance of forums for common platforms to achieve such aims and objectives. It is in view of such approach that we have made phenomenal progress towards the goal of the modern pharmacy. It is for this reason, Prof. Singh has rightly projected the luminaries as “Builders and Awareness Creators of Modern Pharmacy.”

 
What is modern or current today would be past by the next decade. New entrants and beginners in the profession will have to shoulder the burden of progress ahead. The profiles provide help and guidance which can be of immense use to shoulder such responsibility. The details of text of appendices can also go a long way in this regard. The text of addresses gives data of progress made, difficulties encountered and possible solutions. Some have forecasted problems and likely difficulties in progress ahead. They have also suggested possible solutions, Quality and importance of details of profiles and addresses can be appreciated only by going through the details.

 
The path of growth and development is thorny and very demanding. Qualitative transformation can be brought by blending of interest, involvement and integrity throughout the journey. Contents of the book provide necessary details and guidance to tread the path for targeted growth and development.

 
I extent my heartiest congratulations to the author Prof. Harkishan Singh for this zealous and untiring effort to archive the pharmaceutical history of India in a prolific, precise and lucid manner. I strongly recommend that educational institutes and pharma organizations keep this publication in their library and promote extensive reading. This book can be a useful orientation programme menu for new entrants and aspirants to acquaint them with historical perspective of our profession.

 
Book Reviewed by Mr. M.R. Shastri, Director (Retired), Drugs Control Administration, Gujarat

The field of Biotechnology, in particular, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology has evolved very rapidly since the discovery of INSULIN by Banting and Best in 1922. Currently, hundred of biotechnology based products have hit the market and numerous others are in various phases of clinical development. This textbook “Foundations in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology” has various well compiled chapters on principles of genetic engineering and its applications, bioinformatics, plant tissue culture, animal cell / tissue / organ culture, enzyme immobilization, cell immobilization and their applications etc. The fundamental concepts in all the chapters serve as a good foundation to understand and interpret the latest research and development going in the field of biotechnology.

 
Chapter 4 deals with fermentation technology and its applications in the field of pharmaceutical biotechnology. Chapter 7 is entirely devoted to hybridoma technology and discusses various methods for the production of Monoclonal antibodies. In chapter 14, covers legal and social issues concerning the use of biotechnology and a profile of various regulatory agencies. In addition, the chapter on halometabolites (halogenated organic compounds) is quite informative.
 

In the end, the authors have added a brief section on useful websites and a photo gallery which has some vivid diagrams and illustrations. The book would be of immense help to undergraduate and post graduate pharmacy, science and engineering students. We would like to congratulate the authors for such an excellent attempt to compile a book on a young discipline like Pharmaceutical biotechnology that faces a dearth of quality publications.
 

Book reviewed by: Dr. Rajat Sethi, Texas A&M University, USA and Raman Sehgal, (GVK Biosciences Pvt. Ltd.)

Inorganic Pharmaceutical chemistry has not received adequate attention over the years even when many inorganic substances are being used as important medicinal / diagnostic agents and also serves as pharmaceutical aids in the pharmaceutical and chemical industry.

 
This textbook on “Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Inorganic Chemistry” by Prof. (Dr.) Gundu Rao consists of 18 well complied chapters. Chapter on Elements presents the reader with essential facts on elements which find application in medicine, analysis including quality control. The chapter on inorganic toxicology is a welcome addition and enables the readers to learn about hazards of improper use of inorganic salts and their possible treatment by specific antidotes. New approaches in chapters like Water as a pharmaceutical raw material, Homeopathic and Veterinary products are highly appreciated.

 
The author had very meticulously given information on various pharmacopeias including the IP, USP, International Pharmacopeia, British Pharmacopeia and Japanese Pharmacopeia through which an effort has been made to introduce some of the basic characteristics of the expectation from “global pharmacist”. Newer perspectives have been added to traditional topics on diagnostic agents, radiopharmaceuticals and quality control. The innovative approach in this book would receive ready acceptance by fellow academicians and students.

 
Following the chapters, the book also incorporates various useful appendices. Appendix 1 is a compilation of commonly used Greek / Latin prefixes and suffixes. Appendix II is a compilation of Medical terms used in the text book. Appendix III is the listing of inorganic pharmaceuticals according to their application. Appendix IV has important references and it also has a novel section on websites consulted by the authors.
 

The author has very aptly used his experience and his close association with the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory bodies, institutions and other fellow healthcare professionals and academicians. I would like to congratulate Prof. Gundu Rao for such an excellent compilation. The book would be of immense help to pharmacy student and related disciplines of medicine, nursing, nutrition, dentistry, etc.
 

Reviewed by: Dr. P. D. Sethi, Pharmaceutical Analyst

In the present scenario of Pharmaceuticals industries, where at every step the analyst has to deal with regulatory compliance, the book titled “Validation in Pharmaceutical Industry” Concepts, Approaches & Guidelines, written by Shri. P. P. Sharma, former Dy. Drugs Controller, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, will definitely be a helpful tool for the technocrats working in the Pharmaceuticals Industries.
 

In this book the author has described all concepts, terminologies, guidelines and different approaches for validation: The book is divided in eleven different chapters. Chapter-1 deals with principles & terminology used in validation. In Chapter 2, definition, concept & options of validation has been defined. Chapter 3 goes deep into the Validation Master Plan (VMP), validation protocol & reports. Chapter 4 describes, organizational structure for validation process. Chapter 5 explains the qualification of premises and validation of HV AC System. Chapter 6 defines the validation of utilities. Chapter 7 & 8 deal with cleaning validation and process validation respectively. Chapter 9 is entirely devoted to validation of some special processes i.e. Aseptic and Lyophilization processes. In Chapter 10, analytical method validation is defined in detail, covering all parameters of validation as per USP & ICH guidelines and Chapter 11 is devoted to computer system validation.
 

I would like to congratulate Shri. P. P .Sharma for such excellent attempt to compile this unique book. The book would be helpful for analysts, production chemist/managers and pharmacy students. I would like to convey my appreciation and best regards to the Author.
 

About the Author: Shri P. P. Sharma is a well known authority in the pharmaceutical field. He is a M.Pharm. (Gold Medallist) from Punjab University and former Deputy. Drugs Controller & Licensing authority; Drugs Control Department, Govt. of N.C.T. Delhi. He was awarded “Best Drug Control Officer Award” at the IPC in 2004. He is a member of the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and Chairman, Law Committee, PC I. Shri P. P .Sharma has authored many books in pharmaceuticals fields like. How to practice GMPs, How to practice GLP and cosmetic Formulations, Mfg. & Quality Control.
 

Book Reviewed by Dr. R.A. Singh, Director Technical, Arbro Pharmaceuticals Ltd. New Delhi. Member Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission Committee. (IPC)