N2 in void of pharmaceutical vials

[aceto_81]

Hi,

Does anybody has an idea about how to test if there has been N2 added to the void above a fluid in a pharmaceutical vial?

We have some glass vials with a pharmaceutical solution, but we are not sure our manufacturer has put N2 on top of the solution.
So instead of waiting 2 years to see if our shelflife has been passed by following our impurities, we would like to have a quicker method.

Any ideas?

Ace

[Peter Apps]

There are ways of separating the main components of air (which is what will presumably be there if there is no nitrogen blanketing) and you can detect them with a TCD. Have a look through the archives. Depending on the exact packaging I would be tempted to do the sampling with an automated headspace sampler - take advantage of the fact that the samples are already in vials.

Peter