Abstract: A coated multi-particulate pharmaceutical dosage form such as an orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) presentation for delivering atomoxetine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor indicated for the treatment of ADHD, into the body to maintain a therapeutically effective amount of atomoxetine in the plasm. The dosage form may comprise one or more populations of coated atomoxetine-containing particles (beads, pellets, granules etc.) providing a pre-designed rapid release profile after a predesigned lag-time of about 0 to 6 hours following oral administration.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for formulating healthcare products, including solid pharmaceutical compositions, while avoiding instability caused ba interaction of the active ingredient with excipients. The method comprises the steps of: (a) selecting an active ingredient that loses stability or potency upon interaction with pharmaceutical excipients; and (b) depositing the active ingredient, preferably electrostatically, as a dry powder substantially free of excipients, onto a pharmaceutically acceptable polymer substrate.

Abstract: The invention features improvements in PRK procedures that relate to preventing non-uniform removal of material from the corneal surface. It has been realized that photoablation by-products resulting during the PRK procedure can affect the accuracy and the predictability of the procedure. Under certain conditions, the plume of photoablation by-products that have left the corneal surface can non-uniformly redeposit onto the ablation area and thus affect the uniformity of subsequent material removal. The plume of photoablation by-products, in the space above the corneal surface, can also non-uniformly affect the escape of further photoablation products from the surface. In addition to the plume effects, it has been realized that the hydration level of the corneal tissue during the PRK procedure can vary over the ablation area and likewise non-uniformly affect the PRK procedure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vaginal ring intended for the release of at least one drug over a prolonged time period. The vaginal ring contains a ring body made of a first polymeric material having at least one hollow internal channel defining an opening to the exterior of said body and which channel is adapted to receive a drug-containing core through said opening, and an intravaginally administerable drug-containing core disposed in the channel. The core is positioned in the vaginal ring body suitably prior to use in order to substantially avoid initial bursts of drug into the tissues of the subject and resultant side effects such as nausea and vomiting. The core contains a pharmaceutically effective amount of at least one intravaginally administerable drug dispersed in a second polymeric material. The first and second polymeric materials may be the same or different. Representative drugs include contraceptive agents and other steroidal substances for use in hormone replacement therapy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a vaginal ring intended for the release of at least one drug over a prolonged time period. The vaginal ring contains a ring body made of a first polymeric material having at least one hollow internal channel defining an opening to the exterior of the ring body and which channel is adapted to receive a, drug-containing core through the opening, and an intravaginally administerable drug-containing core disposed in the channel. The core is positioned in the vaginal ring body suitably prior to use in order to substantially avoid initial bursts of drug into the tissues of the subject and resultant side effects such as nausea and vomiting. The core contains a pharmaceutically effective amount of at least one intravaginally administerable drug dispersed in a second polymeric material. The first and second polymeric materials may be the same or different. Representative drugs include contraceptive agents and other steroidal substances for use in hormone replacement therapy.