The use of QbD for the development and validation of a stability-indicating RP-HPLC method for the quantitation of nevirapine in bulk, tablet and niosome formulations

Introduction: A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic (RP-HPLC) method was developed and validated for the quantitation of nevirapine (NVP) in bulk drug, commercial tablets, and niosome formulations using an Analytical Quality by Design (AQbD) approach. Methods: Critical analytical attributes and method parameters were identified and optimized using a Central Composite Design (CCD), with the retention time and resolution between NVP and internal standard carbamazepine as key responses. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a C₁₈ column using an isocratic mobile phase of water and acetonitrile (57.5:42.5 v/v), a 1.0 mL/min flow rate, and detection at 280 nm. The method was validated per ICH Q2 (R1) guidelines for all parameters including repeatability, intermediate precision, accuracy (recovery/bias), and robustness, in addition to specificity, linearity, LOD and LOQ. Results and Discussion: The method demonstrated specificity, linearity (0.5–200 μg/mL), a detection limit of 0.033 μg/mL, and quantification limit of 0.5 μg/mL. The method was precise, accurate, and robust. Stress studies suggested stability-indicating performance under the tested conditions with no observed interference at the analyte retention time at 280 nm. Application to commercial and in-house formulations confirmed its suitability for routine analysis. This work highlights the value of AQbD in developing cost-effective, high-performing analytical methods for pharmaceutical analysis.