define pharmaceutical analysis

Pharmaceutical analysis is the branch of practical chemistry that involves the identification, determination, quantification, and purification of substances in pharmaceutical products. It includes analyzing raw materials and finished formulations to determine their active components, impurities, and composition. The purpose of pharmaceutical analysis is to ensure the purity, safety, quality, and efficacy of drugs by using various techniques such as chemical tests, spectroscopy, chromatography, and instrumental methods. It encompasses both qualitative analysis (identifying the substances present) and quantitative analysis (measuring how much of each substance is present).