How Ultrapure Water Can Be Used in Pharmaceuticals For Improved Healthcare

25 February 2026

Toby Patrick

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Ultrapure Water (UPW) is a very important part of the pharmaceutical industry, as it has such a high purity level of around 18.2 MΩ cm resistivity, which is perfect for removing ions, organic matter, bacteria and particulate matter. All of this can reduce the quality of medication and turn it into something that can be potentially catastrophic to patients' health.

Hand holding assorted colorful pills on a bright blue background, creating a vibrant and health-focused visual.

It’s mainly used for drug manufacturing, as it can sanitise materials and equipment so everything is kept clean and away from any danger. This improves healthcare and makes it safer for patients by reducing contamination risks. It also improves the stability of therapeutic products for patients who need them to function properly.

This guide will explore how ultrapure water is used in pharmaceuticals and why it’s essential for keeping patients protected while improving their healthcare. Continue reading to learn more.

How Pharmaceutical Industries Improve Healthcare

Safety of Injectables

UPW is used to produce water for injection, the required solvent for injectable medications like vaccines for infectious diseases. These types of medications are used across the world, so it’s crucial that they’re made to be safe to use since they get injected into the skin and blood flow of patients. This ensures that they are free from endotoxins, microbes and chemical impurities that could cause sepsis or fatal adverse reactions.

Product Efficacy and Stability

When UPW is used, it can remove ionic and organic contaminants as it prevents chemical interactions that could degrade Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). This ensures medications remain stable and effective throughout their existence to prevent wasted medication, all while ensuring patient treatment is always safe to administer.

Preventing Contamination

Small contaminants are dangerous for medications, as they can interfere with how cells grow or cause a patient's body to have a bad reaction. Those within the industry can use UPW to help scientists make sure the environment stays clean and steady so that nothing ruins the medicine. This step is crucial for keeping the treatment safe and making sure it works exactly the way it should for the person taking it.

Sterilisation of Medical Devices

The integration of UPW in the pharmaceutical industry helps to generate clean steam for autoclaving. This ensures that surgical instruments and complex medical equipment are stripped of microscopic bio-burden without the risk of chemical residue. This minimises the transmission of pathogens and significantly reduces hospital infections that can occur from using products that have been contaminated. You can improve the integrity of the medical tools and the lives of the patients they serve.

Accurate Diagnostics

When new medicines are created and tested, scientists must use UPW to ensure their experiments are perfect in order for them to function as intended. This water is so clean that it has been stripped of every impurity that could interfere with testing equipment, making sure that the whole process is carefully constructed. When researchers prepare liquid samples for analysis, even the smallest change can create fake results called ghost peaks on their digital charts. This can ruin the final product of medication, leading to adverse effects on patients.

Formulation of Sensitive Topical Products

When companies make sensitive products like face creams or eye drops, they must use UPW to ensure it’s as safe as possible. Regular water contains tiny minerals and invisible bacteria that can easily irritate your skin or cause painful infections in your eyes. Manufacturers can remove those hidden impurities so the final product is gentle and effective. This high standard of purity protects your health and helps the medicine work exactly as it should without any nasty side effects.

What Technology is Used for UPW?

Continuous Electrodeionization (CEDI)

CEDI is the leading technology for UPW production. Used by water management companies like Xylem, it can replace chemical-based ion exchange with an electrochemical process. This can help to remove any impurities, including carbon dioxide, that can ruin medication. CEDI is a continuous, low-energy-consuming process and avoids the need for chemical regenerants, perfect for cost savings.

Ultraviolet (UV)

UV light can disrupt the DNA of microorganisms to prevent them from growing any bigger, while specific UV wavelengths can break down trace organisms. It helps manufacturers get more protection when making medication, as the water can stay at a consistent quality that will support regulatory compliance.

The pharmaceutical industry couldn’t survive without UPW. It’s the necessary component needed to ensure that all medication is safe to use, as it helps to sterilise machinery used by manufacturers and prevent any contamination from occurring. Without UPW, patients will receive inadequate care, as the medication they take could harm them or give them adverse effects. It’s crucial that companies within the industry keep their patients safe at all times to avoid any legal action from being taken against them.

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Nintendo Switch 2 Launches to Record Sales, Mixed Reviews, and Market Shifts

Paul Francis
Jun 12, 2025
3 min read

After months of speculation and mounting anticipation, Nintendo has launched the Switch 2 in the UK and globally, marking a significant step forward for the Japanese gaming giant. The hybrid console, which was released on 3 June, has already become Nintendo’s fastest-selling device, shifting over 3.5 million units in just four days.

The console launched in the UK at £379.99 for the standard edition, with the “Deluxe Set” bundling in Mario Kart World and enhanced Joy-Con controllers for £429.99. Despite the hefty price tag, retailers reported widespread sell-outs within hours of release. GAME and Argos saw queues online and in-store, with some high street stores reporting stock shortages through the first weekend.

"The screen is beautiful, the new Joy-Cons feel far sturdier, and I love how snappy the menus are."

Jason Webb, a gamer from Leeds

Launch Line-Up and New Features

The Switch 2 arrived with a launch line-up headlined by Mario Kart World, Pikmin 5, and Splatoon Nova, with The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of the Depths set to follow in July. The console features a brighter 1080p OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, upgraded internal storage, and improved detachable controllers. Nintendo has also introduced GameChat, its first in-built voice and video chat system, seen by many as a long overdue step into modern multiplayer gaming.

Early Market Jitters Now Easing

When Nintendo confirmed the console back in January, investors were not immediately convinced. Shares dipped nearly 7 per cent in Tokyo, with analysts criticising the reveal as thin on detail. The company was tight-lipped about the price, backwards compatibility, and exact release date, leading some to worry that Nintendo was not ready to compete with devices like the Steam Deck or PlayStation Portal.

However, as pre-orders sold out in April and early reviews trickled in, investor confidence returned. By late May, Nintendo’s stock had climbed to record highs, with analysts from Jefferies and Goldman Sachs issuing strong buy recommendations. Goldman expects long-term growth from the console, forecasting that it could sell over 60 million units during its lifespan.

Close-up of blue and red handheld game controllers against a dark background, with buttons and joystick visible. Vibrant colors.

What Users Think of the Switch 2?

Despite commercial success and analyst optimism, the Switch 2 has divided opinion among users. While many in the UK gaming community have praised the device as a worthy successor, others feel it fails to justify its premium price or fully resolve lingering issues from the original console.

The Good

For those upgrading from the original Switch, the improvements are tangible. "The screen is beautiful, the new Joy-Cons feel far sturdier, and I love how snappy the menus are," said Jason Webb, a gamer from Leeds who picked up his Switch 2 on launch day. Online forums and subreddits have filled with praise for the display, improved load times, and the seamless nature of GameChat.

Others have applauded Nintendo’s decision not to reinvent the wheel. “It’s exactly what I wanted – more power, better battery, and still the same pick-up-and-play feel,” wrote one user on r/NintendoUK.

The Bad

However, not everyone is impressed. A common criticism has been the console’s high price, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis. “£429 for a new console when I still have a perfectly good Switch? Nintendo’s taking the mickey,” said Sarah Khan, a student in Manchester.

Battery life has also come under scrutiny. Some users reported shorter-than-expected play times during launch week, prompting Nintendo to acknowledge a software bug that would be addressed in a future update. There have also been concerns about the magnetic controller attachments. “The little nub is already bending, and I’ve only had it a week. My kid snapped the last one in two months,” one frustrated parent shared on Facebook.

Another sore point is the sense that the Switch 2 is more of a refinement than a revolution.

“It feels like a Switch Pro, not a new generation. Where’s the wow factor?”

Reddit user @WanderingPlumber.

The Road Ahead

Despite some early growing pains, the Switch 2 is off to a flying start. It has reignited interest in physical game releases, brought Nintendo back into the conversation around social and multiplayer innovation, and won over a loyal base of fans who see it as the best version of the console to date.

As the console heads into its second month, all eyes will be on Nintendo’s software pipeline. With the promise of a new Zelda, Pokémon Revival later this year, and strong third-party support, the Switch 2 may yet prove to be more than just a refresh. But with rivals looming and expectations sky-high, Nintendo has little room for error.

Whether the Switch 2 becomes a long-term game-changer or a short-term spike remains to be seen. What’s clear for now is that it has already made its mark.