Patient protection and affordable care act(H.R. 3590) Research Paper

Patient protection and affordable care act(H.R. 3590) - Research Paper Example In this paper, facts about the components of the new law will be discussed, with its corresponding advantages and disadvantages. H.R. 3590, also known as â€Å"The Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act,† has been in the public spotlight for months before and after the president ordered its issuance. According to the Democratic Public Policy (n.d.), the current health care reform will â€Å"ensure that all Americans have access to quality, affordable health care,† and allows modification within the health care service to fit whatever individual medical needs. The role of the health insurance holders is also emphasized, making them more in-control of their insurance companies, rather than insurance companies controlling them. The Kaiser Family Foundation (2010) argued that the change in the health care system â€Å"focuses on the provision of to expand coverage, control health care costs, and improve health care delivery system.† Its implementation would rely to the overall population with health insurance coverage; therefore, there is a need to make health insurance mandatory for every citizen. If a citizen fails to have such insurance a penalty of $695 tax should be paid, but varies in accordance to his or her marital status. In line with the widened coverage for health insurance, the new policy provides a longer coverage for young adults under their parent’s premiums. The Los Alamos National Laboratory (n.d.) contends that the employees or unemployed young adults who lost their insurance coverage on their 23rd birthday will be allowed to re-enroll under their parent’s insurance, regardless if they are married or not. Furthermore, the previous policy of insurance companies of disqu alifying children who have pre existing medical condition is already illegal. A 1% budget for the Abortion policy will be provided, as long as the pregnancy is due to rape or incest, or the pregnancy itself causes danger

Apitalism, globalization and fundamentalism Essay

Apitalism, globalization and fundamentalism - Essay Example Weber explains different aspects of capitalism. He discussed how capitalists helped in the economic development of America and how the spirit of capitalism fought its supremacy against a whole world of hostile forces. Globalization is termed as a worldwide integration of humanity and the compression of both temporal and spatial dimensions of planet wide human interaction. The whole world is changing very fast and every country is in the road of development. Modernization is the present trend and globalization is a part of it. Globalization narrowed the gap between different cultures and cultural pluralism is gaining more importance. Because of globalization intercultural education is increasing. The best example is number of students from different parts of the world are coming to US to pursue their higher studies. Multiculturalism became possible due to globalization. We can see different cultures existing in one roof in US. Internet, which became popular at the end of the 20th century helped in narrowing the gap between different parts of the world. Now information is being shared at the speed of light. With the help of Internet the whole world became global village. Internet has opened the gates for globalization. It created many possibilities for human interaction and business transaction. Capitalism is defined as economic an... Capitalism is defined as economic and social system in which means of production are privately owned. Individuals, companies or corporations make investments and share profits or losses. Capitalists help in the improvement of a country's economy. He/she is the persons who ventures in the investment area. Because of the efforts of capitalists the US economy has vastly improved. Religion is one the important factors of a society. There are many religions that exist in the present world. Every religion preaches to believe and keep faith in god. It preaches deism. Fundamentalism has become a thorn in every religion. It is slowly taking the form extremism. Fundamentalism is the belief in absolute religious authority and the demand that this religious authority be legally enforced.Religious Fundamentalism exists in Christians, Jewish, Muslims, Hindus, etc. This way of making the people to follow a religion is creating more problems. The Jews were never allowed to use things that were offered to other religious gods and it's a big sin and severely punishable if any does use. In Muslim dominated countries the existence of fundamentalism and extremism could be easily seen. Most of the Islamic nations follow Shariat law and in any way a person breaks this law is strictly punished. According to this law no one is above the god and religion. Women should not come out of their houses. They always should remain indoors. They should not show their face or any other part to other men except to her husband and family members. She should always be in veil. A man can marry any number of times and women should marry only once in their lifetime. Women in western countries are more liberal

The Importance of Analysis and Analytical Skills to the Manager Making Essay

The Importance of Analysis and Analytical Skills to the Manager Making Decisions in Business - Essay Example Specifically, the study evaluates the structured analytical approach to problems solving and discusses the concept of decision making. This is then followed by a critical analysis of three types of management decision making methods; project plan, financial modeling and diagrammatic representation. These methods are then discussed together in relation to management, before arriving at a conclusion on the study. Structured Analytical Approach to Problem Solving Management in the business world often presents with complex problems that call on managers to develop better approaches to problem solutions. Bonem (2011, p. 1-2) discusses the need for the structured analytical approach to solving problems, explaining that the aging and retiring of the baby boomer (or elderly) generation of workers takes away the invaluable experience needed in decision making. Thus, the author argues that the present managerial aspects of businesses need to adopt a structured analytical approach that will co unter the complexity of organisational problems and the lack of experiential knowledge. The structured analytical approach involves a cyclical multi-stage approach to decision making. Proctor (2010, p. 273) argues that the structured approach involves a number of discernible activities at each stage in the cycle; objective finding, fact finding, idea finding, problem finding, solution finding and acceptance finding. Cooke and Slack (1991) provide for a decentralised approach to executing the cyclic stages. This involves one or more individuals executing the component tasks of decision analysis which include administration, evaluation and implementation. The tow scholars present a normative cyclic approach consisting of 8 stages that involve recognition of the problem, objective setting, understanding the problem, determination of the options available, evaluation of the options established, selecting the most appropriate and effective option, implementation of the solution and monit oring. The structured analytical approach to problem solving as discussed above is a formidable approach to a business context as it addresses the root causes of the problem, identifies and assesses all possible strategic options and settles on the best. It also provides for monitoring, and the cyclic nature allows for awareness and readiness to face organisational problems and challenges which helps to avoid impetuous decision making. However, the approach is idealistic and requires being adapted to the specific context of the business environment (Cooke and Slack 1991). Thus, a manager should manipulate/customise it to suit the specificity in the environment and problem. The Concept of Managerial Decision Making Wang (2010, pp. 28-33) states that decision making is the process of choosing the best alternative to achieve goals in light of finite resources. The author argues that the concept of decision making cannot be divorced from resource allocation and the process of execution as these are dependent on sound decisions for success. Decision making is closely interrelated with problem solving, which Reza and Fahimi (2003, p. 2) define as the process of identifying and filling gaps on a desired and an actual organisational state. The authors relate decision making and structured problem solving, explaining that decision mak

Intellectual property project ( Business and Commercial law ) Assignment

Intellectual property project ( Business and Commercial law ) - Assignment Example This paper presents an example of a case in which the intellectual property legislation of the cell phone market has been breached. In the shop where I spotted this original HTC phone, it was selling at $120. However, according to what one of the shop attendants told me, the price was slightly negotiable. I guess it could sell as low as $110. The price of this product according to the shop, in which I spotted it, was $52. Comparing with the previous similar phone (real) that I had seen earlier, I got interested in why it was selling so cheap. At a glance, I could not notice any difference. However, after a close look at the phone, I noticed some differences from the original phone. The original HTC phones are manufactured by a company called HTC Corporation, with its headquarters in Xindian, New Taipei City, Taiwan. The company was formerly known as High-Tech Computer Corporation. State laws protect the intellectual properties. Any attempt use an intellectual property without authorization is considered infringement (Hg.org, 2015). The manufacturers of the fake hTC mobile phones violate the intellectual laws in a number of ways. The first and foremost, their product resembles the HTC corporation’s product by general look as well as the product name. The HTC label used on the phone is a trademark of HTC Corporation. Any other firm that sells products with a similar label violates the federal law No. 8 of 2002, as provided by the trade regulations in UAE. If the firm runs its businesses in United States, it would be a violation of the intellectual law, as provided in section 396(3A) of Act 1988 (Groves, 1997). The production of a product similar to those patented by another company is an offense. It violates the intellectual laws related to copyright, patent, design rights, just to mention a few. The manufacturer of the fake HTC mobile, in this case, violated the intellectual laws by manufacturing phone similar to the ones that existed

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Essay Example for Free

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Essay My topic is a rally car made by the Japanese company Mitsubishi. This machine is considered one of the best rally cars in the world. And they are used as cars in our everyday life. The car I am going to be focusing on is the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution in Short Evo. The evolution is a racing car modern transportation car. | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution short (evo) is a product of Japan. It was created as a separate branch to the lancer. The Evolution was intended as a Professional Rally car. The car turned out so well that there were numerous requests for a road car. The evolution was then turned into a sports sedan. The reason I love Evolution so much and would like others to know is because of the way the car was created. If for example you are a driver that loves a sporty car but has a family the Evolution is perfect it has five seats so that the whole family can go. The car is also 4by4 which means that it can go through stormy weather and the drive can feel confident. The Evolution has great prices as well so that means that you can get almost up to three hundred horsepower and a turbo for an affordable price. One of the reasons that the Evolution is so famous is for its handling it was created for rally racing which means that even though the sedan may be different it is still similar. The handling on an Evolution is one of the best in the world for a sedan. Due to the Gentlemen’s Agreement which stated in Japan that no production car would have more than 300 horsepower the Evolutions in Japan, Europe and North America some of the versions of the Evolution where different. In the future Mitsubishi is planning on making more Evolutions but it is still unclear about the look of the car. Mitsubishi claims that the car is going to have some medications and Versions of it might run on Electricity and there probably will be Hybrids. The Conclusion that I came up with is that if you are a family person but always wanted something sporty under $30,000 and something the whole family can go on this would be your choice. The car has magnificent handling and it is very safe. It has a very flashy look and enough power under the hood to keep you going for a long time. In my personal opinion if you have a family a two setter sports car would not go as good with the family, but a sports sedan would.

The Power of Nonviolence Essay Example for Free

The Power of Nonviolence Essay â€Å"We heard that the city had decided to allow the police officials to stand by and allow the hoodlum element to come in and attack us†. The story â€Å"The Power of Nonviolence† by John Lewis takes place in the Southern United States during the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. An important theme revealed in â€Å"The Power of Nonviolence† is life can be hard but you should always keep going that is what gets you were you are. Three ways that this theme is revealed are, John Lewis and other blacks being discriminated against, John and his friends doing the sit-ins, and Nashville desegregating the lunch counters. The first way the theme is revealed is by John Lewis and other blacks being discriminated against. In the Southern States black people were discriminated against and were not allowed to eat or watch movies at the same places as white people because they were â€Å"colored†. Because of their skin they were denied the same things as white people. As shown in this quote â€Å"You bought your ticket at the same window that the white people did, but they could sit downstairs, and you had to go upstairs.† This quote supports the theme because it shows how hard life is on them and how they go on. The second way the theme is revealed is by John and his friends doing the sit-ins. Many people would go into the segregated places that served food and sit at the counters and wait to be served. Some times they wouldn’t get served at all other times they would get attacked, but they refused to fight back violently. As seen in this quote â€Å"They would sit down in a very orderly, peaceful, nonviolent fashion and wait to be served.† This quote supports the theme because they won’t back down and kept going on through hard times. The final way the theme is revealed is by Nashville desegregating the lunch counters. After months of the peaceful non violent sit-ins Nashville became the first city to desegregate its lunch counters and let blacks eat there too. As shown in this quote â€Å"And so Nashville became the first major city in the south to desegregate its downtown lunch counters and restaurants. That was the power of non violence†¦Ã¢â‚¬  this final quote reinforces the theme by showing that they got were they wanted to because they kept going on through hard times. The theme revealed in â€Å"The Power of Nonviolence† is life can be hard but you should always keep going that is what gets you were you are. Three ways that this theme was revealed were, discrimination all over the southern states, students participating in lunch counter sit-ins, and Nashville desegregating its lunch counters. Though out the story I was affected deeply by the careless discrimination and realized how horrible that it is and it let me see the light and realize what I was doing wrong and what I can do to correct it and fix the problems of discrimination.

Comparison of Oral Drug Administration Strategies

Comparison of Oral Drug Administration Strategies Abstract In this literature assignment the oral route of administration will be discussed and further studied. Particular formulations such as tablets (including chewable as well as buccal tablets), capsules, oral solutions, suspensions and emulsions which can be applied by using this selected route will be compared and any differences or/and similarities between those will be identified. Oral formulations are usually the most convenient for both children and adults and therefore should be the first choice for example pain management etc or generally when required. Speed of absorption (in the oral route it may be slow depending on the preparation and the stomach contents) and duration of effect (slower release compared to other routes for a prolonged effect) are also some of the factors under investigation in this study. According to the advantages and disadvantages of these different formulations it would be useful to identify which is the most preferable formulation by patients followed by specific examples/drugs which are administered orally. Introduction Different drugs require different routes of administration and therefore different dosage forms are produced in order the appropriate absorption to be achieved through the suitable form of the drug. Each substance is absorbed in a different way by the human body. Hence different administration routes are provided and recommended for each substance under which the dose of the drug will be absorbed, delivered and distributed more effectively. The two major classes where through the drug can enter the human body are enteral and parenteral routes. In the enteral route the drug passes directly into the Gastrointestinal tract. Enteral route includes sublingual (under the tongue), oral (swallowing) as well as absorption of the drug through the rectum. On the other hand parenteral routes involve intravascular (the drug is administered into the blood stream), intramuscular (skeletal muscle), subcutaneous (into subcutaneous tissues) and inhalation routes of administration (where the drug is absorbed through the lungs). Parenteral routes, Routes of Drug Administration, RL Copeland, PH.D., Department of Pharmacology Topical preparations include those that result to either mucosal membranes (such as eye drops, nasal) or skin (dermal and transdermal for local and systemic action respectively). The physical characteristics of the drug, its rate of absorption or/and release as well as the possibility of the need of high concentrations at particular sites are some basic key factors that determine the route of administration for each drug. It should be also mentioned that more than one route of administration can be advisable for the substance/drug depending on the patients condition. According to researches it has been proved that the oral route is the most popular route of administration between those that were referred above. This is due to its simplicity, convenience and safety provided. However, there are some disadvantages of the oral route of drug administration involving the long time the drug needs in order to show an effect as well as the interaction of drug substances with enzymes and/or secretions of the gastrointestinal tract. Gastric emptying time as well as the alteration of pH levels into the gastrointestinal tract are factors to investigate in order to achieve maximum absorption of the drug through the oral route. Discussion Tablets Nowadays, one of the most common dosage forms produced by pharmaceutical industries and preferred by the majority of patients is undoubtedly tablets. The category of compressed tablets is the most popular dosage form in use. Tablets are used for either systemic drug delivery or for local drug action as well. They are more preferable than any other dosage form as they are taken orally by patients, which is a convenient and safe way of drug administration and are more stable compared to liquids (physical and chemical stability). Different types of tablets (regarding their shape, size and drug dose) require a different formulation in order to be produced as each category has different properties and alterations may be needed in the choice of excipients each time and in methods used. That means that every tablet is a different situation and as a result different steps should be followed. Tablets have enough advantages in comparison to other dosage forms. First of all they are easier to handle and the preparation procedure offers an accurate dosing of the drug. The possibility of mass production makes production of tablets cheaper and their chemical and physical stability is obviously better compared to liquid dosage forms. Tablets are also compliant with the majority of patients. Disadvantages of tablets are noticed when they are dispensed especially in the elderly and paediatrics where swallowing difficulties are observed. They also belong to the category of slow-acting dosage forms (first-pass effect). Finally their poor bioavailability in combination with the decrease in PH over the time complete the most important disadvantages and create points for improvement. The compressed tablet is the most popular, versatile but most technically difficult dosage form as well. According to European Pharmacopoeia (3rd edition, 1997) tablets are solid preparations each containing a single dose of one or more active ingredients and obtained by compressing uniform volumes of particles. Million tablets are dispensed on a daily basis in the pharmacies all over the UK. Hence pharmacists should be completely aware of how they are made and the steps that follow during the production stage before they reach in the dispensary area of pharmacies. First of all, tablets are called pills by the majority of people. However this name is technically incorrect as tablets are made by compression whereas pills are an ancient solid dose forms prepared by hand into spherical particles about 4 to 6mm in diameter. As it was said above, tablets are made by a process of compression and that is their basic difference compared to pills. There are two main types of press in tablet production: the single -punch press (or eccentric press) and the rotary press (or multistation press). There is one more type, called hydraulic press (used more in research and development work) which requires a more specialized equipment. The first very important factor for investigation in tablet formulation is compressibility. Because the majority of drugs do not have very good compression properties on their own usually require the addition of excipients. Low dose tablets (dose less than 50mg) are used to be prepared by direct compression whereas high dose ones (dose more than 50mg) by using wet granulation technique. Compression properties could be understood better by studying the behaviour of elastic, plastic or fragmenting tablets under compression. Good flow (or alternatively flowability) is the next attribute for investigation. In order to succeed that, tablets require the addition of different excipients (and not only the active drug) such as lubricants, glidants, binders, disintegrants, antiadherents etc. Depending on the drug and the dose of the tablet each time (preparation of low or high dose tablets), different excipients are used. Excipients however, can affect powders properties; hence pharmaceutical industries need to study very well them and their properties in order to avoid any possible errors during the tableting process. 325mg aspirin tablets, by Ragesoss, E. Johnson, 2010 Tablets can be controlled by weight. The whole tablets weight combines the weight of the active drug (drug dose) and the weight of the excipients added after it. Tableting process relies on consistent volumetric filling of the die space set by the bottom punch. Uniformity of tablets can be tested in two ways; weight variation or content uniformity test. Weight variation test occurs for high dose tablets (dose > 50mg) that are uncoated and contain at least 50 % of the active ingredient (drug). On the other hand, content uniformity test is used for coated tablets which contain again the same percentage (at least 50%) of the single active ingredient. In tablet manufacturing, tablets are prepared by powder compression. By that way particles are placed very close to each other and finally a defined size and shape is given. During compression procedure a die and two punches (upper and lower) are used. First of all die is a tool that is used by pharmaceutical industries for cutting or shaping materials by using press. On the other hand, punch is used to describe a hard metal rod which has two different ends; a shaped tip and a blunt butt. The compressive force is applied by the upper punch while the lower one moves at the same time up and down within the tip. The image below describes the whole process from the time that the powder is moved to the die till the tablet is formed. The sequent of events involved in the formation of tablets. Pharmaceutics The science of dosage form design, edited by M.E, Aulton Second edition Coming back to flowability, good flow depends on both active ingredients and the excipients added in the powder mix. The good flow of a powder mix can be ensured by measuring the angle of repose or consolidation index. If flow properties are not very good, then lubricants and glidants are the most appropriate excipients for the improvement of the flow. It should also be noted that only glidants are able to improve a powders flow. Lubricants just decrease the extinction of friction and by that way the flow becomes better. More especially, by the addition of a lubricant the coefficient of friction between the die wall and the tablet during ejection is reduced and by that way the powder has a better flowability. Magnesium stearate is the most commonly used lubricant especially for tablets and functions as an antiadherent. That means that by its addition, it prevents ingredients from picking and sticking to manufacturing equipment during the compression of chemical powders into solid tablets. It is also hydrophobic and reduces the compressibility of many formulations. On the other hand, glidants are added mainly to the dry powders to improve flowability. In general the addition of a glidant or lubricant or both of them can affect the excipients/powders flowability and bulk density. These additions can have great results and turn powders with a very poor flow to powders with a good flow. Apart from lubricants and glidants, formulation of tablets requires the use of other excipients as well. The filler for example which acts as a bulking agent, is used in order to increase the bulk volume of the powder and hence the size of the tablet when the dose of the active ingredient is too low (low dose of a potent drug requires the incorporation of a substance). An ideal filler has to be chemically inert, biocompatible, non-hygroscopic, soluble, compactible, quite tasty and not of very high cost. The filler used most widely is lactose as its properties look enough like the ideal fillers one. The addition of a disintegrant also ensures that the tablet when will be in contact with liquid will break up into small fragments. This promotes quick drug dissolution. During disintegration, the liquid comes in contact with the solid and penetrates the pores of the tablet. Afterwards the tablet breaks slowly into smaller fragments. Two categories of disintegrants exist: those that facilitate water uptake (e.g. surfactants) and that rapture the tablet (e.g. starch). Sticking or picking properties of tablets depend on the addition of antiadherents. Antiadherents reduce adhesion between the powder and the punch faces. Lots of lubricants can be used as antiadherents. Talc or starch have also similar properties. Magnesium stearate which is the most commonly used lubricant (especially for tablets) functions as an antiadherent as well. That means that by its addition, it prevents ingredients from picking and sticking to manufacturing equipment during the compression of chemical powders into solid tablets. It is also hydrophobic and reduces the compressibility of many formulations. Pharmaceutical industries can involve flavouring agents and colourants during tableting procedure too. First of all, a flavouring agent by its addition either gives a more pleasant taste in the tablet or mask an unpleasant one. Flavouring agents cannot be added prior to an operation involving heat as they are usually thermolabile. Usual flavouring agents are essential oils such as anise and cardamom, vanilla or peppermint. Colourant is the last excipient could be added during wet massing method in order to produce high dose tablets. General knowledge of colourants involve tablets identification and patients compliance. Even if colouring procedure finishes during coating stage, the colourant chosen could be added prior to compaction as well. Opacifiers like Titanium oxide and Inorganic materials like Iron oxide are characteristic colourant examples. The choice of the appropriate excipients depends on the type of the tablet as different excipients give different properties. So chewable tablets are not designed to disintegrate since mechanical action is supplied by the patient. Hence there is no need for disintegrants to be contained in to the relevant formulation. Although the drug is immediately released in the mouth, it is swallowed and absorbed from the stomach. Colouring and flavouring is also needed especially in the presence of antacids. Effervescent tablets are dissolved in a glass of water before administration. Plenty of analgesics use this specific type and during this process disinitegration and dissolution are facilitated due to carbon dioxide liberation. Effervescent tablets have a rapid bioavailability and cause less stomach irritation. However extra protection from moisture is required in packaging. Finally extended release tablets have been designed in order to release the drug dose over 12-24 hours until the drug to result to Gastrointestinal tract. They are classified according to the mechanism of drug release (e.g. erosion, dissolution, diffusion etc). Capsules The second most common dosage form administered via the oral route are capsules. Capsules which are solid dosage forms are distinguished into two categories; hard gelatine capsules and soft gels. Soft gelatine shells are consisted of less gelatine compared to hard gelatine ones (43%), 37% of glycerine and 20% of water. On the other hand, in hard gelatine shells no glycerine is added and larger amount of gelatine is obviously used. Although both capsule types are widely used, soft gels have some more advantages due to the accuracy and precision of dose that they offer, the accuracy of fill volume as well as the fact that they are preferred for high dose poorly compressible drugs. Generally speaking both capsule types are from the dosage forms that can be massively produced in a manufacturing scale and achieve appropriate dose in combination with the preferable size, shape and colour. Hard gelatin capsules Soft gelatin capsules Capsules are more stable than liquid dosage forms and as it was mentioned above they contribute to accurate dosing. Such as with tablets, they are quite easy to administer and any unpleasant tastes can be easily masked. Capsules release properties can be managed and further studied and it is also possible light resistant capsules to be produced. Patients compliance is another important issue too. The basic disadvantages are pretty much the same with those of tablets. Capsules as tablets are not indicated for people with swallowing difficulties including the elderly and children. They are also unsuitable for very small children and the use of animal gelatine in their formulation process might be an important religious issue. The aim of developing a capsule formulation is first of all to prepare a capsule with accurate dosage, good bioavailability, stability, elegance and facility in the production stage. In capsule formulation is very important the mixture that will be added into the capsules to have been blended very well and being 100% homogenous. Disintegrants are usually included in capsule formulation in order to help capsules contents to be distributed in the stomach. Aqueous solutions cannot be filled in hard gelatin capsules because water softens the gelatin and destroys the capsules. However, there are some exceptions of a few aqueous solutions (included oils) that can be added in hard gelatin capsules. In general, capsules are consisted of two main parts: the body and the cap. Almost all of the pharmaceutical companies that produce hard gelatin capsules use gelatine produced by ingrained bovine spongiform encephalopathy. This material is a good film former, soluble in water and is able to fluid in GI at normal body temperature without to release any of the ingredients of the capsule. Capsules are available in a variety of sizes and the appropriate size is chosen each time according the fill volume of the ingredients. Capsule sizes In hard gelatine capsules and generally in capsules, there is one extra step compared to tablets; that is the dissolution of the capsule shell. When the capsule will pass through the GI and will be placed in a dissolution medium at approximately 37ÃŽÂ ¿C, the gelatin will start gradually to dissolve. So, firstly the cap and afterwards the body will start to melt, and as a result the dissolution medium will penetrate into the capsule ingredients. Oral Solutions Solutions are from the oldest dosage forms used in pharmaceutical formulations. Their strongest advantage is based on the fast and high absorption of soluble medicinal products. Being from the simplest formulations to prepare concerning both time and cost, solutions are still one of the leading dosage forms due to their application in patients with swallowing difficulties and their easy administration. For example they are administered in geriatrics, in paediatrics as well as in patients in intensive care or patients suffering from psychiatric problems. Solutions are divided in oral solutions (elixirs, linctuses, syrups, mixtures, draughts, spirits and paediatric drops), in external solutions (lotions, liniments, external applications and collodions), in gargles and mouthwashes as well as in enemas and douches. Care pholcodine oral solution BP Focusing on the oral solutions, they contain a liquid which is characterized by its homogeneity and in which one or more active ingredients have been dissolved. Contrary to suspensions, in solutions there is no need for shaking before use. Most times, water is the preferred vehicle due to its multiple properties. Solutions offer immediate absorption of the drug and the drug dose can be also shaped regarding the patients needs. On the other hand, the drug stability is importantly affected in solutions and unpleasant tastes cannot be so easily masked as in other dosage forms (for example in tablets). As with suspensions, solutions do not offer a convenient transport due to possible container breakages. Other disadvantages involve the use of a measuring device in order to administer the appropriate dose to the patient which further requires a relevant technical accuracy. Finally, the fact that some of the drugs are poorly soluble enables the creation of a vehicle which usually consists of water and a variety of other solvents in order the chosen drug to be dissolved. Solubility which is an important factor to investigate in solutions, is directly connected to particle size, stirring, viscosity and temperature. Physical and chemical stability are other factors that need to be taken in consideration while dealing with the formulation of this specific dosage form. Oral Suspensions Generally speaking suspensions cover a wide range of pharmaceutical products involving enemas, ear drops, inhalations etc. Focusing on the suspensions administered via the oral route (mixtures for oral use) at least one of the active ingredients is suspended in a vehicle. According to the British Pharmacopoeia oral suspensions are oral liquids containing one or more active ingredients suspended in a suitable vehicle. Suspended solids may slowly separate on standing but are easily redispersed. Suspensions are an alternative way of drug administration which would not be so convenient for use if taken in other dosage forms (e.g. tablet). They are preferred from patients who experience swallowing difficulties and they are indicated for paediatric or/and geriatric use. Paracetamol oral suspension Some of the advantages of suspensions over other pharmaceutical formulations involve the palatability and stability that can be achieved using insoluble drugs. As it was mentioned above it is easier to swallow suspended insoluble powders and the absorption stage will be really faster that any other solid dosage forms which require dissolution before absorption. On the other hand, shaking is necessary before use and most times the dose is not as accurate as in equivalent solution. The disperse system can be also affected depending on the storage conditions. Finally it is not so easy to transport suspensions and extra caution is needed due to possible container breakages in this specific dosage form. Suspensions are further categorized into diffusible and indiffusible ones. Diffusible suspensions use light insoluble (or very slightly soluble) powders which during shaking require longer time to disperse uniformly (compared to indiffusible suspensions) in order to be made up to an accurate dose. Light Kaolin BP and Magnesium Trisilicate BP are some common diffusible powders which are completely insoluble in the water. Calamine BP and Zinc oxide BP are some of the commonly used indiffusible powders (heavy powders which are not soluble in the vehicle). One of the basic differences between these two categories is that in indiffusible suspensions a suspending agent is added for facilitating the vehicle to be thickened. Oral Emulsions British Pharmacopoeia states that oral emulsions are oral liquids containing one or more active ingredients. They are stabilised oil-in-water dispersions, either or both phases of which may contain dissolved solids. Solids may also be suspended in oral emulsions. When issued for use, oral emulsions should be supplied in wide-mouthed bottles. Q-LAX Oral emulsion Generally speaking the term emulsion is connected to applications with external use, lotions and creams. However pharmaceutically it is used for preparations that are used to be administered via the oral route. Emulsions are dispersions of oil in water or the opposite. Tiny droplets indicate the dispersed phase. Therefore the use of an emulsifying agent is necessary in order to assure that the oil phase is normally dispersed in the presence of water. Oral emulsions are usually oil-in-water whereas those that are intended for external use are usually water-in-oil respectively. As in suspensions, the artificial palatability of unpalatable drugs in emulsions is a strong advantage. It is also quite easy to flavour the aqueous phase and the sensation or/and the taste of the oil is something that can be easily removed. This dosage form has an increased rate of absorption and can combine even two incompatible ingredients (one in oily and another one in the aqueous phase). Passing to the disadvantages, some similarities can be identified between emulsions and solutions. The first one is the use of a measuring device in order to administer the appropriate dose to the patient which requires a relevant technical accuracy. Stability can be affected depending on the storage conditions and as in suspensions (but not in solutions), a good shake of the preparation is required before administration. As it was mentioned twice above, emulsions, suspensions and solutions do not offer a convenient transport due to possible container breakages. Finally in emulsions cracking can be caused due to the microbial contamination of the preparation. Although emulsions are a very helpful and useful dosage form in pharmaceutics, they are widely used more in external preparations than in internal ones (via the oral route). Conclusion Different drugs are administered via different routes of administration. Criteria such as either the speed or the efficiency with which the drugs act are decisive in order to choose the most appropriate route of administration and consequently the dosage form. More specifically, in terms of the oral route of drug administration different dosage forms were analyzed, discussed and their advantages and disadvantages were compared. Of course it is pointless to say that one of these dosage forms which are taken orally (tablets, capsules, oral suspensions, solutions and emulsions) is the best as each one covers specific aspects and purposes and is used under different circumstances. Tablets is the most commonly used dosage form with a very interesting as well as complicated manufacturing background. They are available in different types (e.g. immediate, modified release etc) and they are most preferable by patients. Capsules is another solid dosage form which is also preferred by patients. Tablets and capsules as solid preparations share common advantages. However patients compliance is their strongest one. When tablets or capsules cannot be swallowed then the use of other oral dosage forms such as solutions, suspensions or emulsions is necessary. Swallowing difficulties can be found especially in the elderly, in children or in patients in intensive care or with psychiatric support. Solutions and suspensions are used more widely than emulsions intended for internal use (via the oral route). Basic differences between those focus on palatability and stability of the preparation. To summarise it needs to be mentioned that it is not up to the formulator to decide the route of administration of each drug. This is solely determined by the physical characteristics of the drug itself, absorption and release factors.