We’re pleased to report a highly successful experience at this year’s Making Pharmaceuticals Exhibition. According to the event organisers, delegate attendance on the first day alone surpassed the total number of visitors for the event in 2024—a trend reflected in the volume of interest we received at our stand, with enquiries nearly doubling compared to last year. This year, most enquiries appeared to be focused on our Gas Chromatography services.

Butterworth Laboratories was also represented in the seminar programme, with Jignasha Patel (QA Officer) and Elena Karayianni (Team Leader – Metals) attending various sessions. Both praised the high quality and relevance of the presentations.

Following the success of this year’s event, we’ve already secured our place for 2026. The 2026 edition promises to be even more impactful, with a new Nutraceuticals section.

MAKING PHARMACEUTICALS 2025 

We are again exhibiting at Making Pharmaceuticals and we look forward to seeing old friends and meeting potential new clients.  If you are attending the event at the Coventry Arena, please come and talk to us on Stand 315 or, if you would like to arrange a specific time, email us.

Sustainability is a key topic for us and also for many of our clients, and it is pleasing to see that Steam A of the Conference Programme contains several presentations and a Panel Discussion on this important subject.

NEW GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY INSTRUMENTS

We have completed the commissioning of one of the two recently delivered Shimadzu GCs.  The second, which will feature the new Dielectric-Barrier Discharge Ionization Detector (BID) is planned to be completed by early May.  

The new detector will allow us to detect compounds, such as those without a strong UV chromophore or which have poor ionisation,  at levels which are not possible or difficult using traditional detectors. This will make it particularly useful for Residual Solvent testing to ICHQ3C. 

For more information on our current GC services, click here.

HELIUM SHORTAGE 4.0

With preparations well underway for the Making Pharma 2025 conference in April, Frank Judge thought it was a good time to provide an update to his presentation on the helium shortage, which was well-received at the same conference in 2024. 

Click here to read his Blog

MODERNISING EXCIPIENT MONOGRAPHS

From the EDQM Newsroom: Revised identification techniques and new CRSs.

In recent months, several revised excipient monographs and new reference standards have been added to the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.). The changes aim to support users by promoting modern IR identification techniques and replacing reference spectra with chemical reference substances (CRS).

The following revised texts were published in Supplement 11.6, with an implementation date of 1 January 2025:

• Polysorbate 20 (0426), Polysorbate 40 (1914), Polysorbate 60 (0427) and the widely used Polysorbate 80 (0428), all of which now describe an IR identification by CRSs;
• Propylene glycol (0430), which describes a new IR identification using Propylene glycol for identification CRS instead of the previous mix of chemical and physical tests.

Butterworth Laboratories is aware of these changes and has the relevant CRSs.

Butterworth’s Frank Judge explains the continuing importance of Thin-Layer Chromatography (TLC) in the analysis of herbal medicines and traditional remedies, particularly in quality control and substance identification.

To read the article published in Pharmaceutical Technology, Click Here

NEW GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY INSTRUMENTS

We have now taken delivery of two new additional Shimadzu GCs which are planned to be installed towards the end of the month.  This marks the final stage of a major Chromatography instrument upgrade.  The package includes a Dielectric-Barrier Discharge Ionization Detector (BID), which has greater sensitivity than more conventional detectors and is able to detect components that are difficult with Flame Ionization Detector (FID) and Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD).  
We will be providing more information once the instruments have been installed and commissioned.  For more information on our current GC services click here.

JPAG MEETING 

We are pleased to announce we will be exhibiting at the first of these days on Thursday 20 March, which is titled: Pharmaceutical Water Determination: From Fundamentals to Advanced Techniques.

The Joint Pharmaceutical Analysis Group, JPAG, has announced the Pharmaceutical Analysis Foundations Programme, a series of one-day events designed to provide in-depth guidance on the most relevant analytical methodologies applied to pharmaceutical products and processes. These events provide opportunities for open discussion with the speakers, the chance to meet vendors of the latest equipment/ service providers and the chance to network with colleagues and experts from across the industry.

RSC – SUSTAINABLE ANALYTICAL  SCIENCE

John Welch – Associate Director -Business Operations, will be attending this RSC event  on 18 March.  
It is billed as a one-day collaborative meeting in the Library of Burlington House, to explore the transformative journey of sustainability in analytical science.  With a focus on achieving zero emissions and aligning with the 12 Principles of Green Analytical Chemistry.  The event will bring together leading experts from academia, industry, and regulatory bodies to share insights, innovative approaches, and practical solutions for adopting greener workflows.  John is looking forward to hearing how other laboratories are approaching this important subject.

PRIORITISING WELLBEING AT BUTTERWORTH MHFA UK  –  MY WHOLE SELF DAY

At Butterworth Laboratories, we recognise that our staff are our greatest asset. A healthy and supportive workplace starts with looking after both our own wellbeing and that of our colleagues. That is why, for My Whole Self Day 2025, we introduced the  My Whole Self MOT , a simple yet effective way to check in on your own mental health and wellbeing. To learn more please read our Blog.

MAKING PHARMACEUTICALS 2025

We will once again be exhibiting at Making Pharmaceuticals 2025.  We look forward to seeing old friends and meeting potential new clients.  If you are attending the event at the Coventry Arena, please come and talk to us on Stand 315, or if you would like to arrange a specific time, email us.

Looking at the Conference Programme, Stream A, looks to have an interesting series of presentations around the subject of Sustainability, which is an area that is often being raised by our clients.

John Welch is pleased to have just renewed his membership of the Research Quality Association (RQA) for another year. In an industry where quality and compliance are non-negotiable, being part of a professional body like the RQA is important.
It offers access to a wealth of resources, including industry insights, training opportunities, and a global network of professionals dedicated to advancing research quality. It’s not just about staying compliant—it’s about staying ahead.
Even though he is no longer directly involved in Quality at Butterworth Laboratories Ltd, he feels it is essential for him to stay up to date with current trends and requirements.

In an article produced in collaboration with Pharmaceutical Technology, Butterworth explores the history of drug regulation harmonisation and what more needs to be done.

Establishing the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) marked a significant milestone in the global regulation of pharmaceuticals.  Originating from a 1990 meeting in Brussels, the ICH emerged as a collaborative effort between regulatory agencies and industry associations from Europe, Japan, and the United States. 

The article provides a short history of the ICH and the fundamental changes to it in 2015.

To read more Click Here

We are delighted to announce that Butterworth Laboratories has been recognised with three Highly Commended awards at the prestigious Richmond Business Awards! The event took place on Friday, December 6th, 2024, at the iconic Twickenham Allianz Stadium.

These accolades are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our incredible team, who consistently strive to deliver exceptional service to our clients.

Our awards were in the following categories:
🏆 Best Customer Service – Sponsored by Richmond upon Thames College
🏆 Best Business – Sponsored by HRUC (Harrow, Richmond & Uxbridge Colleges)
🏆 Best Professional Practice – Sponsored by Richmond Chamber of Commerce

We are proud to be recognised for our unwavering commitment to excellence in customer care, professional standards, and business operations.

Butterworth explores the history of drug regulation harmonisation and what more needs to be done in an article produced in collaboration with Pharmaceutical Technology.

Establishing the International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) marked a significant milestone in the global regulation of pharmaceuticals.  Originating from a 1990 meeting in Brussels, the ICH emerged as a collaborative effort between regulatory agencies and industry associations from Europe, Japan, and the United States. 

To read more Click Here

With World Mental Health Day falling on 10 October 2024, Butterworth Laboratories is embracing the entire month of October as an opportunity to raise awareness and promote well-being among our staff. We understand the importance of mental health and want to ensure all staff feel supported, heard, and equipped with the tools to manage their well-being.

Throughout the month, we will be hearing from our team of dedicated Mental Health First Aiders. These trained individuals are here to provide guidance and support and help point anyone experiencing mental health challenges in the right direction for further assistance.

Over the next four weeks, our Mental Health First Aiders will share their thoughts and advice through various communications, offering practical tips for managing daily stresses and providing a wealth of resources for anyone facing emotional difficulties. They will also be suggesting daily mental well-being activities to help everyone at Butterworth Labs prioritise their mental health and incorporate small moments of self-care into their routine.

In addition to the regular updates and tips, our Mental Health First Aiders have organised a Meet and Greet 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 in the break rooms at both of our buildings. This will be an informal opportunity for staff to pop in, have a chat over a cup of tea or coffee, and get to know the individuals who are available to offer support. Whether it’s to ask a question or simply say hello, all staff are encouraged to attend.

We hope these initiatives help foster a more open and supportive environment where everyone feels comfortable discussing mental health. Whether it’s through sharing tips or simply checking in with a colleague, small acts can make a big difference.

Mental health matters every day, not just on World Mental Health Day, and we at Butterworth Laboratories are committed to continuing this conversation and supporting each other’s wellbeing.

Let’s make October a month of awareness, connection, and support. Together, we can create a culture where mental health is prioritised, and wellbeing is a shared goal.

High-performance liquid chromatography can highlight the presence of 16 free amino acids in a sample better than its thin-layer chromatography counterpart.

For decades, the determination of ninhydrin-positive substances (NPS) in amino acids relied on thin-layer chromatography (TLC). However, since 2013, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) has progressively replaced TLC in the European Pharmacopoeia due to its superior accuracy and efficiency.

At Butterworth Laboratories, we have adopted HPLC techniques to verify the presence of 16 free amino acids in biological samples, delivering precise and reliable results for our clients.

Our latest white paper delves into this methodology and outlines how our verification process ensures compliance with pharmacopeial standards.

To read the full white paper, click HERE