Identification, synthesis, and characterization of an unprecedented N-(2-carboxyethyl) adduct impurity in an injectable ganirelix formulation.

Ganirelix, a peptide-based drug used to treat female infertility, has been in high market demand, which attracted generic formulation. A hitherto unknown impurity of ganirelix was observed in our formulation process, which reached ~0.3% in 6 months and led to a detailed investigation of its structure. In-depth analysis of ESI-MS/MS data of this impurity coupled with an artificial intelligence prediction tool led to a highly unusual putative structure, that is, N-(2-carboxyethyl)-ganirelix (NCE-GA), which was authenticated by chemical synthesis from ganirelix and NMR analysis and via corroborated HPLC and MS/MS data with the formulation-derived impurity.

Identification, trace level quantification, and in silico assessment of potential genotoxic impurity in Famotidine.

Potential genotoxic impurities in medications are an increasing concern in the pharmaceutical industry and regulatory bodies because of the risk of human carcinogenesis. To prevent the emergence of these impurities, it is crucial to carefully examine not only the final product but also the intermediates and key starting material (KSM) used in drug synthesis. During the related substances analysis of KSM of Famotidine, an unknown impurity in the range of 0.5-1.0% was found prompting the need for isolation and characterization due to the possibility of its to infiltrate into the final product. In this study, the impurity was isolated and characterized as 5-(2-chloroethyl)-3,3-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,2,4,6-thiatriazine 1,1-dioxide using multiple instrumental analysis, uncovering a structural alert that raises concern. Considering the potential impact of impurity on human health, an in silico genotoxicity assessment was established using Derek and Sarah tool in accordance with ICH M7 guideline. Furthermore, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation were performed to evaluate the specific interaction of the impurity with DNA. The findings reveal consistent interaction of the impurity with the dG-rich region of the DNA duplex and binding at the minor groove. Both in silico prediction and molecular dynamic study confirmed the genotoxic character of the impurity. The newly discovered impurity in famotidine has not been reported previously, and there is currently no analytical method available for its identification and control. A highly sensitive HPLC-UV method was developed and validated in accordance with ICH requirements, enabling quantification of the impurity at trace level in famotidine ensuring its safe release.

Highly sensitive liquid chromatographic method combined with online ion suppression to remove interfering anions and mass spectrometry for impurity profiling of paromomycin sulfate.

A previously developed high-performance liquid chromatography method combined with pulsed amperometric detection allowed to separate many impurities of paromomycin. However, due to the presence of ion pairing agents and sodium hydroxide in the mobile phase, direct coupling to mass spectrometry for the identification of the chemical structures of the impurities was not an option. Indeed, ion suppression was encountered by trifluoroacetic acid and pentafluoroproponic acid in the mobile phase. A cation self-regenerating suppressor, which was originally designed for increasing analyte conductivity of ammonia and amines analysis in ion chromatography, was coupled between the liquid chromatography and ion trap-time of flight-mass spectrometry and almost all trifluoroacetic acid and pentafluoroproponic acid in the mobile phase was removed. The limit of detection of paromomycin in this integrated system improved significantly to 20 ng/ml (0.4 ng). The chemical structures of 19 impurities were elucidated and seven impurities were reported for the first time.

Degradation pathways and impurity profiling of the anticancer drug apalutamide by HPLC and LC-MS/MS and separation of impurities using Design of Experiments.

Apalutamide, an androgen receptor inhibitor, is used to treat prostate cancer. A stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed for the estimation of assay and organic impurities of apalutamide in drug substance and in tablet dosages using Design of Experiments. The chromatographic separation was achieved within 30 min using Atlantis dC18 , 100 × 4.6 mm, 3.0 µm and the binary gradient program (10 mm KH2 PO4 , pH 3.5; acetonitrile). The detection wavelength, flow rate, column temperature and injection volume used were 270 nm, 1.0 ml/min, 45°C and 10 µl, respectively. The interaction of independent variables (pH, column temperature and flow rate) and their influences on HPLC parameters were studied using a central composite design, and then the peak separation and elution behaviors between apalutamide and its seven impurities were determined. The method validation was performed for linearity, detection limit, quantitation limit, accuracy, precision and robustness as per the International Conference on Harmonization. A high-quality recovery with good precision (91.7-106.0%) and correlations (r2 > 0.997) within a linear range of 0.12-2.24 µg/ml (0.05-0.3%, w/w) were achieved consistently for assay and organic impurities of apalutamide. The stability-indicating characteristics of the proposed method were assessed through forced degradation and mass balance studies. An effort was made to figure out the chemical structures of newly formed degradation products (DP1-DP5) using LC-MS/MS.

Development of a rapid and validated stability-indicating UPLC-PDA method for concurrent quantification of impurity profiling and an assay of ipratropium bromide and salbutamol sulfate in inhalation dosage form.

The objective of the proposed work was to develop a rapid and new reverse phase ultra-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-UPLC) method for the simultaneous quantification of related impurities of ipratropium bromide and salbutamol sulfate in the combined inhalation dosage form. Herein, the chromatographic separation was achieved on Acquity BEH C18 (100mm×2.1mm, 1.7µm) column by following gradient elution of solvent A as 2mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate with 0.025% of 1-pentane sulphonic acid sodium salt (pH 3.0 buffer) and solvent B as pH 3.0 buffer, acetonitrile and methanol in the ratio of (32:50:18, v/v/v) at a flow rate of 0.3mL/min. The samples were detected and quantified at 220nm. To prove the stability-indicating potential of the method, forced degradation studies were performed using acidic, basic, oxidative, thermal, and photolytic conditions. After sufficient exposure, the resultant solutions were injected and found that all degradants and impurities formed during stress studies were well separated from each other and from the main peak compounds. The performance of the method was validated according to the present ICH Q2 (R1) guidelines. The method has good linearity (r≥0.999) and consistent recoveries were obtained with a range of 91.3-108.8% for all compounds. The % RSD obtained for the precision experiments was less than 5% and also there is a good sensitivity (LOQ≤0.5µg/mL) for all compounds. The intended method proved its applicability and that it can be beneficial to pharmaceutical industries for quick quantification of related impurities and assay in quality control department for analysis of ipratropium bromide and salbutamol sulfate inhalation dosage form.

Chemical forensic profiling and attribution signature determination of sarin nerve agent using GC-MS, LC-MS and NMR.

Sarin is a highly toxic nerve agent classified by the Chemical Weapon Convention as a Schedule 1 chemical with no use other than to kill or injure. Moreover, in recent times, chemical warfare agents have been deployed against both military and civilian populations. Chemical warfare agents always contain minor impurities that can provide important chemical attribution signatures (CAS) that can aid in forensic investigations. In order to understand the trace molecular composition of sarin, various analytical approaches including GC-MS, LC-MS and NMR were used to determine the chemical markers of a set of sarin samples. Precursor materials were studied and the full characterisation of a synthetic process was undertaken in order to provide new insights into potential chemical attribution signatures for this agent. Several compounds that were identified in the precursor were also found in the sarin samples linking it to its method of preparation. The identification of these CAS contributes critical information about a synthetic route to sarin, and has potential for translation to related nerve agents.

Synthesis, characterization and control of eight process-related and two genotoxic fingolimod impurities by a validated RP-UPLC method.

An HPLC method has been described in the European Pharmacopoeia and United States Pharmacopeia for the determination of nine organic impurities (imp A-I) in fingolimod hydrochloride, a synthetic sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor modulator. The manufacturing process of fingolimod hydrochloride consists of multistep chemical synthesis wherein controls of precursors, intermediates and process steps should be performed to assure the final quality of the drug substance. We synthesized and isolated eight process-related impurities (FINI imp A-H) of fingolimod, which were different from the pharmacopoeial impurities. One unknown process-related impurity was found as a key intermediate (FINI) and was identified by LC-MS. Characterization of all of the impurities were done using spectroscopic techniques (1 H and 13 C NMR, FTIR, MS), and the mechanistic pathways to the formation of these impurities were also discussed. Two of these impurities were evaluated as potential genotoxic impurities owing to their alerting structures and alkylating properties (alkyl sulfonates and alkyl halides, class 3, ICH M7). We also developed and validated an RP-UPLC method in line with ICH Q2 guidelines for control these impurities (FINI imp A-H) and to assure the pharmacopoeial quality drug substance.

Stability-indicating liquid chromatography method development and validation for impurity profiling of montelukast sodium in bulk drug and tablet dosage form.

Montelukast sodium (MLS) is a leukotriene receptor antagonist drug used in the treatment of asthma, bronchospasm, allergic rhinitis and urticaria. A reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography method was developed to separate, identify and quantitative determination of MLS and its eight known organic impurities in tablet dosage form using a C18 column and mobile phases consisting of a gradient mixture of pH 2.5 phosphate buffer and acetonitrile. The stability-indicating character of the developed method was proven using stress testing (1 m HCl at 80°C/30 min, 1 m NaOH at 80°C/30 min, H2 O at 80°C/30 min, 3% H2 O2 at 25°C/1 min, dry heat at 105°C/10 h and UV-vis light/4 days) and was validated for specificity, quantitation limit, linearity, precision, accuracy and robustness. For MLS and its eight known impurities, the quantitation limits, linearity and recoveries were 0.015-0.03 µg/ml, correlation coefficient > 0.997 (R2 > 0.995) and 85.5-107.0%, respectively. The developed chromatographic method is suitable for impurity profiling and also for assay determination of MLS in bulk drugs and pharmaceutical formulations. The mass values (m/z) of newly formed degradation products (DP1 and DP2) of montelukast sodium were identified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Stability-indicating liquid chromatography method development for assay and impurity profiling of amitriptyline hydrochloride in tablet dosage form and forced degradation study.

Amitriptyline hydrochloride is an antidepressant drug with sedative effects used to treat the symptoms of anxiety, agitation with depression and schizophrenia with depression. A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method was developed to separate and quantitatively determine the assay and four organic impurities of amitriptyline in tablet dosage form and bulk drugs using a C18 column in an isocratic elution mode with mobile phase consisting of a mixture of pH 7.5 phosphate buffer and methanol. The pH conditions used in the chromatographic separation are discussed. The stability-indicating characteristics of the proposed method were proved using stress testing [5 m HCl at 80°C/1 h, 5 m NaOH at 80°C/1 h, H2 O (v/w) at 80°C/1 h, 6% H2 O2 (v/v) at 25°C/1 h, dry heat at 105°C/24 h and UV-vis light/4 days] and validated for specificity, detection limit, quantitation limit, linearity, precision, accuracy and robustness. For amitriptyline and its four known organic impurities, the quantitation limits, linearity and recoveries were in the ranges 0.25-3.0 µg/ml (r2 > 0.999) and 87.9-107.6%, respectively. The mass (m/z) spectral data of amitriptyline hydrochloride and its impurity are discussed. The proposed LC method is also suitable for impurity profiling and assay determination of amitriptyline in bulk drugs and pharmaceutical formulations.

Implementation of QbD Approach to the Development of Chromatographic Methods for the Determination of Complete Impurity Profile of Substance on the Preclinical and Clinical Step of Drug Discovery Studies.

The purpose of this work was to demonstrate the use of the AQbD with the DOE approach to the methodical step-by-step development of a UHPLC method for the quantitative determination of the impurity profile of new CPL409116 substance (JAK/ROCK inhibitor) on the preclinical and clinical step of drug discovery studies. The critical method parameters (CMPs) have been tested extensively: the kind of stationary phase (8 different columns), pH of the aqueous mobile phase (2.6, 3.2, 4.0, 6.8), and start (20-25%) and stop (85-90%) percentage of organic mobile phase (ACN). The critical method attributes (CMAs) are the resolution between the peaks (≥2.0) and peak symmetry of analytes (≥0.8 and ≤1.8). In the screening step, the effects of different levels of CMPs on the CMAs were evaluated based on a full fractional design 22. The robustness tests were established from the knowledge space of the screening step and performed by application fractional factorial design 2(4-1). Method operable design region (MODR) was generated. The probability of meeting the specifications for the CMAs was calculated by Monte-Carlo simulations. In relation to literature such a complete AQbD approach including screening, optimization, and validation steps for the development of a new method for the quantitative determination of the full profile of nine impurities of an innovative pharmaceutical substance with the structure-based pre-development pointed out the novelty of our work. The final working conditions were as follows: column Zorbax Eclipse Plus C18, aqueous mobile phase 10 mM ± 1 mM aqueous solution of HCOOH, pH 2.6, 20% ± 1% of ACN at the start and 85% ± 1% of ACN at the end of the gradient, and column temperature 30 °C ± 2 °C. The method was validated in compliance with ICH guideline Q2(R1). The optimized method is specified, linear, precise, and robust. LOQ is on the reporting threshold level of 0.05% and LOD at 0.02% for all impurities.

Impurity Profiling of Dinotefuran by High Resolution Mass Spectrometry and SIRIUS Tool.

Dinotefuran (DNT) is a neonicotinoid insecticide widely used in pest control. Identification of structurally related impurities is indispensable during material purification and pesticide registration and certified reference material development, and therefore needs to be carefully characterized. In this study, a combined strategy with liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry and SIRIUS has been developed to elucidate impurities from DNT material. MS and MS/MS spectra were used to score the impurity candidates by isotope score and fragment tree in the computer assisted tool, SIRIUS. DNT, the main component, worked as an anchor for formula identification and impurity structure elucidation. With this strategy, two by-product impurities and one stereoisomer were identified. Their fragmentation pathways were concluded, and the mechanism for impurity formation was also proposed. This result showed a successful application for combined human intelligence and machine learning, in the identification of pesticide impurities.

Analytical Performance and Greenness Evaluation of Five Multi-Level Design Models Utilized for Impurity Profiling of Favipiravir, a Promising COVID-19 Antiviral Drug.

In 2018, the discovery of carcinogenic nitrosamine process related impurities (PRIs) in a group of widely used drugs led to the recall and complete withdrawal of several medications that were consumed for a long time, unaware of the presence of these genotoxic PRIs. Since then, PRIs that arise during the manufacturing process of the active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), together with their degradation impurities, have gained the attention of analytical chemistry researchers. In 2020, favipiravir (FVR) was found to have an effective antiviral activity against the SARS-COVID-19 virus. Therefore, it was included in the COVID-19 treatment protocols and was consequently globally manufactured at large-scales during the pandemic. There is information indigence about FVR impurity profiling, and until now, no method has been reported for the simultaneous determination of FVR together with its PRIs. In this study, five advanced multi-level design models were developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of FVR and two PRIs, namely; (6-chloro-3-hydroxypyrazine-2-carboxamide) and (3,6-dichloro-pyrazine-2-carbonitrile). The five developed models were classical least square (CLS), principal component regression (PCR), partial least squares (PLS), genetic algorithm-partial least squares (GA-PLS), and artificial neural networks (ANN). Five concentration levels of each compound, chosen according to the linearity range of the target analytes, were used to construct a five-level, three-factor chemometric design, giving rise to twenty-five mixtures. The models resolved the strong spectral overlap in the UV-spectra of the FVR and its PRIs. The PCR and PLS models exhibited the best performances, while PLS proved the highest sensitivity relative to the other models.

Greenness profile assessment of selective liquid chromatographic methods for determination of a quaternary antimigraine combination along with three of their related official impurities.

Two selective, sensitive and environmentally safe LC methods were developed and validated for determination of paracetamol, caffeine, ergotamine tartrate and metoclopramide in coformulated antimigraine tablets along with p-aminophenol, p-nitrophenol and theophylline as officially specified impurities. The first is based on high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) coupled with densitometric quantitation. Separation was achieved on HPTLC silica gel 60 F254 plates as stationary phase using ethyl acetate:aqueous ammonium hydroxide solution:glacial acetic acid (10.0:0.4:0.1, by volume) as a developing system followed by scanning of the separated bands at 210.0 nm. The subsequent method depends on HPLC with diode array detection. The LC separation was accomplished on a Scharlau C18 (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) column using a mixture of 20.0 mm sodium dihydrogen phosphate, pH 3.0, adjusted with o-phosphoric acid and methanol, at a flow rate of 1.3 mL/min in a gradient elution program. The separated peaks were detected at 210.0 nm. The proposed methods have been validated and proven to meet the requirements outlined in the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines. The greenness profile evaluation was carried out using three tools, namely, the National Environmental Method Index, the Analytical EcoScale and the Green Analytical Procedure Index tool, and a comparative study was then conducted. Successful application of the developed methods for determination of the cited quaternary mixture in Metograine tablets confirms their suitability regarding the analytical performance and ecological impact in quality control assay and impurity profiling purposes.

Development of an efficient stability-indicating LC-MS/MS method for the analysis of selexipag and characterization of its degradation products.

A new RP-HPLC method with a quick, sensitive and stable indication for the quantitative measurement of selexipag and its associated substances was developed and validated in the present study. In this new method, using the impurity-spiked solution, the chromatographic approach was optimized. Similarly, using the X-bridge phenyl column with isocratic elution of mobile phase containing acetonitrile and formic acid, selexipag and its impurities were separated. Recovery experiments obtained were satisfactory, and also the calibration graphs plotted for selexipag and its five impurities were found to be linear. The system validation parameters such as specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy and robustness were determined successfully. The obtained results indicated that the developed method was found to be useful for analyzing selexipag from its impurities. Further, using stress tests against acid, alkali, peroxide, reduction, thermal, hydrolysis and UV conditions, the present established method of HPLC was assessed and validated as per ICH Q2(R1) guidelines.

Impurity profiling and stability-indicating method development and validation for the estimation of assay and degradation impurities of midostaurin in softgel capsules using HPLC and LC-MS.

Midostaurin (MDS) is used for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, and advanced systemic mastocytosis. MDS softgel capsule samples were subjected to stress testing per International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use guidelines for impurity profiling study. MDS underwent extensive degradation under stress testing (acid, alkaline, oxidative, photolytic, thermolytic, and hydrolysis conditions) and formed four degradation products (DPs). MDS and its DPs were separated well from one another with good resolution using reserved-phase HPLC using an Inertsil ODS-3V column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) and a mobile phase of ammonium formate (40 mM) and acetonitrile. The stability-indicating characteristic of the newly developed method was proven for the estimation of MDS assay, and its organic impurities were free from interference. The validated method exhibited excellent linearity, accuracy, precision, specificity, detection limit, and quantitation limit within 25 min run time. Stress testing, robustness, and solution stability were performed to ensure the continuous performance of the developed method. The peak fractions of DPs formed under stress testing were isolated and characterized using LC-MS, 1 H and 13 C NMR, IR, and UV-Vis. The structure of the major DPs was predicted as DP1 based on the spectral data. The proposed method is effectively used for MDS in bulk drug and finished formulations in the pharmaceutical industry.

Single quad mass analyzer coupled UPLC method for impurity profile of Brimonidine tartrate and Timolol maleate: Application in their binary mixture ophthalmic formulation.

The main objective of the study is to develop a suitable and rapid UPLC/PDA method by coupling online to Quadrupole Dalton analyzer (QDa), a mass detector for the identification and impurity profiling of Brimonidine Tartrate (BRIM)/Timolol maleate (TIMO) in the ophthalmic formulation. Chromatographic separation was achieved on ethylene bridged hybrid octadecylsilane column having 1.7µm particle size in gradient mode using high pure heptafluorobutyric acid as a buffer (A) and water, methanol, and acetonitrile (B) as mobile phase with a flow rate of 0.3mlmin-1. Based on the spectral maxima, BRIM and its impurities were monitored at 248nm, and TIMO and its impurities were monitored at 295nm. During evaluation of stress conditions and stability data unknown degradants are observed and identified as m/z 218.01 (DP1) and m/z 390.03 (DP2) using QDa-ESI+ scanning mode technique. The performance of the method was systematically validated according to ICH Q2 (R1) guidelines and the method shown very good sensitivity (≥0.5µg.mL-1) and linearity (r2≥0.999) with consistent recoveries and less than 5% RSD for all compounds. Hence, the proposed UPLC/PDA/QDa method is a simple, sensitive and comprehensive technique where identification and quantification can be done. It gives for complete impurity profile evaluation of BRIM/TIMO in the ophthalmic formulation during quality control in the pharmaceutical industry.

Impurity profiling high-performance-thin-layer chromatography method involving the assay of essential human micronutrient niacin with eco-scale assessment.

Currently, analytical scientists are paying special attention to reducing reliance on hazardous chemicals in various analytical methods. By embracing this concept, we developed an eco-friendly high-performancethin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method as an alternative for the conventional HPLC method for the determination of an essential human micronutrient, niacin (NIA), which is used improve the lipid profile of patients. Furthermore, the proposed HPTLC method is capable of determining the structurally related impurities of NIA such as pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylic acid, isonicotinic acid, pyridine, and 5-ethyl-2-methylpyridine, which exhibit nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic effects. The separation of this challenging mixture was achieved on HPTLC sheets using a mixture of ethyl acetate/ethanol/ammonia solution (6:4:0.05, v/v/v), and then the dried plates were scanned at 254 nm. The analytical eco-scale assessment protocol was used to assess the greenness profile of the presented method and compare it with the reported HPLC method. The suggested method was found to be greener with regard to the consumption of solvents and the yielding of waste. The results suggest that the described method can be safely implemented for the routine analysis of NIA pharmaceutical dosage without the interference of potential impurities in quality control laboratories.

Capillary zone electrophoresis for the determination of amodiaquine and three of its synthetic impurities in pharmaceutical formulations.

A simple and robust CZE method was developed for the separation and quantification of the antimalarial compound amodiaquine as well as three of its synthetic impurities at a concentration equal to or lower than 0.5%. For capillary electrophoresis, a fused-silica capillary, a background electrolyte of 100 mM sodium phosphate buffer at a pH value of 6.2, a voltage of +20 kV, and a detection wavelength of 220 nm were used, allowing the determination of the analytes within 20 min. The method was validated according to the guideline Q2(R1) of the International Council for Harmonization with respect to linearity, precision, accuracy, limit of detection and limit of quantification, and was successfully applied to evaluate the quality of drug samples collected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Quantitative analysis results obtained by the CZE method were compared to those obtained with the contemporary HPLC method described in The International Pharmacopoeia.

Chemometrics-assisted chromatographic fingerprinting: An illicit methamphetamine case study.

The volatile chemical constituents in complex mixtures can be analyzed using gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. This analysis allows the tentative identification of diverse impurities of an illicit methamphetamine sample. The acquired two-dimensional data of liquid-liquid extraction was resolved by multivariate curve resolution alternating curve resolution to elucidate the embedded peaks effectively. This is the first report on the application of a curve resolution approach for chromatogram fingerprinting to identify particularly the embedded impurities of a drug of abuse. Indeed, the strong and broad peak of methamphetamine makes identifying the underlying peaks problematic and even impossible. Mathematical separation instead of conventional chromatographic approaches was performed in a way that trace components embedded in methamphetamine peak were successfully resolved. Comprehensive analysis of the chromatogram, using multivariate curve resolution, resulted in elution profiles and mass spectra for each pure compound. Impurities such as benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, benzene, propenyl methyl ketone, benzyl methyl ketone, amphetamine, N-benzyl-2-methylaziridine, phenethylamine, N,N,α-trimethylamine, phenethylamine, N,α,α-trimethylmethamphetamine, N-acetylmethamphetamine, N-formylmethamphetamine, and other chemicals were identified. A route-specific impurity, N-benzyl-2-methylaziridine, indicating a synthesis route based on ephedrine/pseudoephedrine was identified. Moreover, this is the first report on the detection of impurities such as phenethylamine, N,α,α-trimethylamine (a structurally related impurity), and clonitazene (as an adulterant) in an illicit methamphetamine sample.

Use and practice of achiral and chiral supercritical fluid chromatography in pharmaceutical analysis and purification.

The interest of pharmaceutical companies for complementary high-performance chromatographic tools to assess a product's purity or enhance this purity is on the rise. The high-throughput capability and economic benefits of supercritical fluid chromatography, but also the "green" aspect of CO2 as the principal solvent, render supercritical fluid chromatography very attractive for a wide range of pharmaceutical applications. The recent reintroduction of new robust instruments dedicated to supercritical fluid chromatography and the progress in stationary phase technology have also greatly benefited supercritical fluid chromatography. Additionally, it was shown several times that supercritical fluid chromatography could be orthogonal to reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and could efficiently compete with it. Supercritical fluid chromatography is an adequate tool for small molecules of pharmaceutical interest: synthetic intermediates, active pharmaceutical ingredients, impurities, or degradation products. In this review, we first discuss about general chromatographic conditions for supercritical fluid chromatography analysis to better suit compounds of pharmaceutical interest. We also discuss about the use of achiral and chiral supercritical fluid chromatography for analytical purposes and the recent applications in these areas. The use of preparative supercritical fluid chromatography by pharmaceutical companies is also covered.