Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs): Definition and Overview

a scientist in a sterile white lab coat holds a small transparent vial containing a glowing blue liquid symbolizing the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API)

Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) are the biologically active components of a drug responsible for its therapeutic effect. In a finished product (eg, tablet, capsule, injectable, etc.), the API provides the intended pharmacological action, while inactive excipients aid stability and proper delivery. In regulatory terms, ICH defines an API as “any substance… that, when used in … Read more