[Improving on the Japanese pharmacopeia--on assays and determinations]

Dr. Mitsuo Watanabe has offered many suggestions and points to be considered on the Japanese Pharmacopeia. His points of the matter include the nomenclature of reagents. Issues on electrodes and volumetric standard solutions to be used in nonaqueous potentiometric titrations are also involved, as well as the justification of a method for quantitative determination and analytical method validation. His concerns have prompted studies and careful surveys of these vital points to consider investigating that the nomenclature of reagents should be directed to prencipally follow the rules of IUPAC. Consideration has also been given to an issue of nonaqueous potentiometric titration, where problems many frequently be found with liquid junction between the electrode and the solution under titration. To work out the issue, investigations have started of an alternative technique characterized in using a platinum (or silver) electrode and a glass electrode as an indicator electrode and a reference electrode, respectively, without any liquid junction. For any titration system in question that can be regarded as nonaqueous titration from viewpoints of analytical chemistry. It has been suggested the use of any volumetric standard solutions of aqueous system should generally be avoided. Other points received consideration include sampling procedures for testing, interpretation of results from quantitation, and analytical method validation.