Pharmaceutical Analysis Notes

Pharmaceutical Analysis Notes

Pharmaceutical Analysis is one of the most important foundation subjects in the Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) program. In the first semester, students study BP102T – Pharmaceutical Analysis I (Theory) as prescribed by the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI). These Pharmaceutical Analysis Notes are designed to help students:

• Understand analytical chemistry concepts.
• Prepare for semester exams.
• Download Pharmaceutical Analysis 1st Semester Notes PDF for easy reference.

Overview

• Subject Code: BP102T
• Course Name: Pharmaceutical Analysis I (Theory)
• Semester: 1st Semester (Core Subject)
• Medium: English
• Relevance: Strong foundation for drug analysis, quality control, and pharmaceutical research.

Scope & Objectives of Pharmaceutical Analysis

Pharmaceutical Analysis is not just about titrations—it is about drug quality assurance and safety. Every medicine we consume must be tested for purity, strength, and absence of impurities. This subject teaches students the principles and techniques used in these tests.

Learning Outcomes

By studying these Pharmaceutical Analysis Notes, students will be able to:

• Understand the fundamentals of volumetric and electrochemical analysis.
• Perform acid-base, redox, precipitation, gravimetric, and complexometric titrations.
• Learn to calculate accuracy, precision, and significance of experimental results.
• Gain practical exposure to pharmacopoeial testing methods.
• Apply analytical techniques while preparing for GPAT exam questions.

Pharmaceutical Analysis Notes – Syllabus 2025

Here is a unit-wise breakdown of the syllabus with explanations.

Unit 1 – Basics of Pharmaceutical Analysis

Download Pharmaceutical Analysis Notes Unit 1

Topics Covered:

• Definition & Scope: Introduction to pharmaceutical analysis and its role in pharmacy.
• Concentration Expressions: Molarity, Normality, % strength, ppm, ppb.
• Primary & Secondary Standards: Examples (e.g., Oxalic acid – primary, NaOH – secondary).
• Preparation & Standardisation: Standardising solutions like HCl, NaOH, KMnO₄, Na₂S₂O₃.
• Errors in Analysis:
  • Systematic errors: Instrumental or procedural.
  • Random errors: Uncontrollable variations.
  • Gross errors: Mistakes like wrong measurement.
• Accuracy & Precision: Difference between being “close to true value” (accuracy) vs. “repeatable results” (precision).
• Significant Figures: Rules for reporting results.
• Pharmacopoeia:
  • Sources of impurities (manufacturing, storage, packaging).
  • Limit tests: For chloride, sulphate, iron, arsenic, heavy metals.

Unit 2 – Acid-Base & Non-Aqueous Titrations

Download Pharmaceutical Analysis Notes Unit 2

Topics Covered:

• Theories of Indicators: Ostwald’s theory, Quinonoid theory.

• Types of Titrations: Strong acid vs. strong base, weak acid vs. strong base, etc.

• Neutralisation Curves: Graphical representation for strong/weak acid-base titrations.

• Non-Aqueous Titrations:

  • Solvents: Acetic acid, formic acid, liquid ammonia.
  • Examples:
    • Estimation of Sodium benzoate (preservative in syrups).
    • Estimation of Ephedrine HCl (used in cough syrups).

Unit 3 – Precipitation, Complexometric & Gravimetric Methods

Download Pharmaceutical Analysis Notes Unit 3

Topics Covered:

Precipitation Titrations:

• • Mohr’s Method (using chromate indicator).
  • Volhard’s Method (back titration with thiocyanate).
  • Fajans Method (adsorption indicators).
  • Example: Estimation of sodium chloride.

Complexometric Titrations:

• • Based on EDTA complex formation.
  • Metal ion indicators (e.g., Eriochrome Black T).
  • Masking/demasking agents.
  • Example: Estimation of Magnesium sulphate & Calcium gluconate.

Gravimetric Analysis:

• • Precipitation, filtration, drying, and weighing.
  • Problems of co-precipitation & post-precipitation.
  • Example: Estimation of barium sulphate.

Diazotisation Titrations:

• • Principle: Formation of diazonium salts.
  • Application: Estimation of sulpha drugs.

Unit 4 – Redox Titrations (8 Hours)

Download Pharmaceutical Analysis Notes Unit 4

Topics Covered:

• Basic concepts of oxidation and reduction.

• Types of Redox Titrations:

  • Cerimetry (Ce⁴⁺ as oxidant).
  • Iodimetry & Iodometry (use of iodine/iodide).
  • Bromatometry (KBrO₃ as oxidant).
  • Dichrometry (K₂Cr₂O₇ as oxidant).
  • Potassium Iodate titrations.

Unit 5 – Electrochemical Methods of Analysis 

Download Pharmaceutical Analysis Notes Unit 5

Topics Covered:

• Conductometry:

  • Measurement of electrolytic conductivity.
  • Applications in conductometric titrations.

• Potentiometry:

  • Reference electrodes (Standard Hydrogen, Silver Chloride, Calomel).
  • Indicator electrodes (Metal, Glass).
  • Potentiometric endpoint detection.

• Polarography:

  • Principle & Ilkovic equation.
  • Dropping Mercury Electrode (DME).
  • Rotating Platinum Electrode.
  • Applications in drug analysis.

Examination Pattern

Component	Marks	Details
Internal Assessment	25	Attendance (4), Quizzes/Assignments (3), Interaction (3), Two sessionals (15)
End Semester Exam	75	3 hours – MCQs, Short & Long answers
Passing Criteria	50/100	(Internal + External combined)

📖 Recommended Books for Pharmaceutical Analysis

Students should use latest editions of the following books:

• A.H. Beckett & J.B. Stenlake – Practical Pharmaceutical Chemistry (Vol I & II)
• A.I. Vogel – Quantitative Inorganic Analysis
• P. Gundu Rao – Inorganic Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• Bentley & Driver – Textbook of Pharmaceutical Chemistry
• John H. Kennedy – Analytical Chemistry Principles
• Indian Pharmacopoeia

📂 Pharmaceutical Analysis Notes PDF

For exam preparation, you can also download Pharmaceutical Analysis 1st Semester Notes PDF. These are concise, exam-oriented, and useful for B. Pharmacy Students

👉 Download Pharmaceutical Analysis Notes Unit 1

👉 Download Pharmaceutical Analysis Notes Unit 2

👉 Download Pharmaceutical Analysis Notes Unit 3

👉 Download Pharmaceutical Analysis Notes Unit 4

👉 Download Pharmaceutical Analysis Notes Unit 5  

Related Notes for B.Pharmacy Students

Along with Pharmaceutical Analysis 1st Semester Notes, first-year B.Pharm students also study Human Anatomy and Physiology (HAP). Having a good grip on HAP helps in understanding drug action and the biological systems where medicines work.

If you’re preparing for your exams or GPAT, make sure to check out our complete set of:

👉 B Pharmacy 1st Year HAP Notes PDF

👉 B.Pharmacy Notes

These HAP notes are structured as per the PCI syllabus, easy to understand, and very useful for both quick revision and in-depth study. Together with these Pharmaceutical Analysis Notes PDF, they will strengthen your fundamentals in the first year of pharmacy.

Free B Pharmacy Notes PDF & Online Study Material

Websites Worth Bookmarking

• 1. PharmaTutor.org – My personal favourite for free PDFs, MCQs, and model question papers. Updated often.
  2. PharmaWiki.in – Great for semester-wise notes and simplified explanations of core topics.
  3. PharmaVision4u.com – A hidden gem with lecture notes and practical manuals.
  4. Academia.edu – Many professors upload their lecture slides and question banks here. You’ll need to sign up, but it’s worth it.
  5. SlideShare.net – PPTs from teachers and students, often with visuals you can directly use in your own notes.
  6. WishallBook.com – Many educators share their lecture slides, notes, and question banks on WishallBook. You’ll need to Download WishallBook App and an account to access them, but it’s definitely worth it for students.

Conclusion

The subject Pharmaceutical Analysis I (BP102T) is the foundation for analytical chemistry in pharmacy. These Pharmaceutical Analysis Notes not only help first-semester B.Pharm students but also serve as valuable Pharmaceutical Analysis Notes for B.Pharmacy Students preparation. By mastering concepts like acid-base titrations, redox reactions, gravimetry, and electrochemical methods, students can strengthen both their academic results and competitive exam performance.