The role of dissolution testing in quality control

Semisolid systems (creams, gels etc.) for dermal application get more and more importance in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. However the number of methodologies for their physico-chemical characterization have been increasing; development of methods for the measurement of the active agent's release onto the skin surface is still a challenging task.Beside measuring the amount of the active agent reaching the skin; dissolution testing (also called release testing) can be also a good indicator of product composition changes, therefore it can be used as quality control methodology.The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vitro drug release of active agents from hydrogels, organogels, o/w and w/o creams, emulgels and w/o/w multiple emulsions for dermal use by means of the vertical diffusion cell methodology, for quality control purposes.