PDF version (1.27MB) PIN code is necessary Pharmacoat (Hypromellose*) *  Instead of Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose we changed its generic name to Hypromellose as from October, 2002. Film coating was developed as a sub-coating for sugar coating in the 1950s, and film-coated tablets were introduced in the early 1970s. Since then, development work aimed at enhancing efficiency by increasing the production rate of film-coated tablets and reducing costs has been carried out along with efforts to increase the bioavailability of drugs. Film coating is now a well-established and effective technique. Pharmacoat was developed from hypromellose (also known as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) in 1963, during the early days of film coating. It has been the subject of a continuous program of development and quality improvement. Film coatings of this type are now in widespread use throughout the world. Pharmacoat is also effective as a binder, because it does not interact with drugs and has high stability and non-ionic properties. In addition, Pharmacoat can be used in place of gelatin for hard capsule manufacturing because of its greater stability. Product line-up of Pharmacoat had been revised from June 2007. Pharmacoat  Water-Soluble Film Coating Agent (Hypromellose; USP)   Grade Substitution Type Labeled Viscosity (mPa･s)* Pharmacoat 603 2910 3 645 4.5 606 6 615 15 904 2208 4 Note: * 2 wt.% aqueous solution at 20oC according to the USP measuring method. Pharmacoat is also useful as a binder for tablets or granules. Pharmacoat 904 is especially useful as a binder for sugar coating.