A general survey of the physical stability of pharmaceutical products is presented. Some of the problems involved in this area are discussed and it is proposed that further attention should be given to the design of standardized tests for the evaluation of physical stability. NOTE -This paper is based on an invited presentation given to the Industrial Pharmaceutical Technology and Pharmaceutical Analysis and Control sections of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Anaheim, California in April, 1979. The Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences is to be commended on organizing this Symposium at such an appropriate time. It is the author's opinion that physical aspects of the stability of pharmaceuticals merit special attention at this juncture. We have developed a quite impressive body of knowledge of the chemical 573 Copyright 0 1979 hy Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Neither this work nor any part may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, microfilming, and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Drug Dev Ind Pharm Downloaded from informahealthcare.com by University of Otago on 12/27/14 For personal use only.