No single industry has contributed more to humanity's modern existence than pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceutical production is directly responsible for everything from vaccines and antibiotics to vitamins and pain relievers. Due to the development of medicines, hundreds of millions of lives have been saved from potentially fatal illnesses. Moreover, pharmaceutical production processes are dependent on filtration products.

Before creating new pharmaceuticals, research scientists isolate individual cells through microfiltration. Solutions are purified through syringe filters, or vacuum filtration to remove large particles or impurities. The purified solution containing the target cells is deposited in a centrifugal filter tube. The centrifugal motion creates a pulling force that draws the solution through the filter membrane. The remaining solution is highly concentrated and provides the best chance to witness how single cells react to known treatments. Once scientist knows how the cells behave, multiply, and are spread, they can create medicines that limit their mobility and modality or disrupt the cellular structure.

Throughout efficacy testing, the proposed treatment is tested over and over again to ensure the results are repeatable, acceptable, and do not present any additional hazards to healthy cells. If a problem exists at this stage, the data is returned to the scientist for further study. After the treatment passes efficacy testing, it can advance to the regulatory approval stage and production.

In pharmaceutical production, filtration processes purify gasses, isolate bacteria, remove particulate matter, and are used to test safety and efficacy. Filtration media with tightly controlled pore sizes allow for consistent, repeatable results. Filters are available in many natural and synthetic materials that provide the flexibility to utilize polarity, chemical compatibilities, and flow rates to improve the final product.

The intricate processes of filtration and purification are vital to the development of safe and effective treatments. By ensuring that each phase of drug development is meticulously managed, from initial research to regulatory approval, the industry not only safeguards public health but also fosters innovation.