New American Capsule Duties Raise Pharma Sourcing Costs
Unfilled water-soluble hard empty capsules from Brazil, China, India, and Vietnam face stacked duties up to 88 percent.
Gelatin Capsules
Oral Dosage
Edible containers made from hydrolyzed collagen provide a standard method for delivering powdered or liquid medications to the digestive system. Traditional pharmaceutical manufacturing relies on gelatin capsules for their rapid dissolution and biocompatibility. These shells consist of two halves that slide together to seal the active ingredients inside.
The material originates from animal tissues, which creates a stable and highly digestible film.
Manufacturing Process
Precision dipping of stainless steel pins into a temperature-controlled solution forms the walls of the shell. After the film dries, automated machines strip the gelatin capsules from the pins and trim them to the correct length. Mechanical strength and wall thickness must be uniform to prevent breakage during high-speed filling operations.
Quality control teams measure the moisture content to ensure the shells remain flexible without becoming sticky. Proper storage in humidity-controlled environments prevents the material from becoming brittle over time.
Solubilization Profile
Rapid breakdown in the stomach acid allows for the swift release of the enclosed medication. Because gelatin capsules dissolve quickly at body temperature, they are ideal for drugs that require immediate absorption. The rate of dissolution can be adjusted by altering the cross-linking of the collagen fibers.
However, some formulations are incompatible with the high moisture content of the shell. This limitation requires careful selection of excipients to avoid chemical interactions that could delay the release of the drug.