pHChecker
p H
pH Checker — pH verification for pharmaceutical solutions (Ph. Eur. 2.2.3)
ℹ️ The utility verifies that solution pH complies with specified limits for injectables and ophthalmics.
ℹ️ Does not use machine learning — rule-based logic only.
⚠️ pH affects API stability, tissue irritation, and microbial growth.
Usage:
pHChecker.exe → demo mode (console output)
pHChecker.exe input.csv output.json → evaluate your data
Input format:
MeasuredpH,LowerLimit,UpperLimit,ProductName
Example:
5.8,4.5,7.0,Sodium Chloride Injection
7.2,6.5,8.0,Ringer's Solution
3.8,4.0,6.0,Vitamin C Solution
— WHY IS THIS NEEDED?
pH is a critical quality attribute for parenteral and ophthalmic products:
• Affects chemical stability (hydrolysis, oxidation),
• Determines tolerability (vein/eye irritation),
• Extreme pH → microbial growth risk.
Compliance with Ph. Eur. 2.2.3 is mandatory for release.
input.csv
MeasuredpH,LowerLimit,UpperLimit,ProductName 5.8,4.5,7.0,Sodium Chloride Injection 7.2,6.5,8.0,Ringer's Solution 3.8,4.0,6.0,Vitamin C Solution
URS & FS — user requirements and functional specification
This document defines user requirements and functional specification for the quality-control utility. It supports deployment discussion, IQ/OQ preparation and QC workflow integration.
1. Scope
The p H Checker utility is used for p H. The actual input.csv is the source of truth for the input structure; control criteria are defined by the executable and the domain description.
The utility does not use machine learning; decisions are produced by deterministic rules.
Categories: EAEU pharmacopoeia
Tags: dissolution, EAEU, impurities, injectables, microbiology, pharmacopoeia, specification, vitamins
2. Execution modes
pHChecker.exe → demo mode (console output) pHChecker.exe input.csv output.json → evaluate your data
3. Key controlled areas
- dissolution / disintegration
- pH and physicochemical parameters
4. Domain limits and critical parameters
- ⚠️ pH affects API stability, tissue irritation, and microbial growth.
5. URS — user requirements
| ID | Requirement | Criticality | Acceptance criterion |
|---|---|---|---|
| URS-001 | The system shall accept an input.csv file for p H with the exact columns listed in the “Input data contract” section. | High | A file with the correct header is processed without manual editing; missing mandatory columns produce FAIL/import error. |
| URS-002 | The system shall support execution without arguments in demo mode and execution with input.csv output.json for user data. | Medium | Both execution scenarios produce a predictable result or clear diagnostic error. |
| URS-003 | The system shall perform rule-based controls for: dissolution / disintegration, pH and physicochemical parameters. | High | Each controlled parameter receives a status and message; the result does not depend on hidden Excel formulas or ML. |
| URS-004 | The system shall preserve traceability between batch/lot, source values, applied rules and final verdict. | High | Output includes batch identifier, source values, parameter statuses and critical findings. |
| URS-005 | The system shall generate machine-readable output.json for LIMS/ELN/MES, batch record and QA/QC review. | High | JSON contains overall status, check array, warnings, failures and source-file reference. |
| URS-006 | The system shall support use in the client validation package: URS/FS, IQ/OQ preparation, installation and operational scenario checks. | High | The document, test scenarios and reproducible CSV/JSON flow are suitable for audit and internal approval. |
| URS-007 | The system shall clearly separate technical data errors from specification nonconformities. | Medium | Schema/type errors are not mixed with pharmacopoeial deviations and are reported separately. |
6. input.csv data contract
The source of truth for the input schema is the actual input.csv header. Column names are technical identifiers and are not translated.
| # | Column | Type | Unit | Description | Sample | Control rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MeasuredpH | decimal | as specified | Measuredp H | 5.8 | mandatory numeric value; rule comparison is performed by the utility |
| 2 | LowerLimit | decimal | as specified | Lower Limit | 4.5 | mandatory numeric value; rule comparison is performed by the utility |
| 3 | UpperLimit | decimal | as specified | Upper Limit | 7.0 | mandatory numeric value; rule comparison is performed by the utility |
| 4 | ProductName | identifier | as specified | Product Name | Sodium Chloride Injection | mandatory value; format and acceptability are checked by the utility |
CSV example
MeasuredpH,LowerLimit,UpperLimit,ProductName 5.8,4.5,7.0,Sodium Chloride Injection
7. FS — functional specification
| ID | Function | Implementation description |
|---|---|---|
| FS-001 | CLI entry point | The executable pHChecker.exe supports demo mode and input.csv output.json processing mode. |
| FS-002 | CSV parser | The import module reads CSV, validates header, column presence/order, value count and encoding. Decimal values are expected with a dot separator. |
| FS-003 | Field conversion | Each column is converted to the expected type: identifier, text, decimal number, date/time or boolean flag. |
| FS-004 | Domain rule engine | For p H, explicit rules are applied: range, minimum, maximum, absence of prohibited flag, data completeness or calculation-based check. |
| FS-005 | Criticality handling | Critical violations produce FAIL; non-critical deviations and incomplete data produce WARNING; full conformance produces PASS. |
| FS-006 | JSON writer | output.json stores overall status, per-parameter results, source values, warnings, failures and diagnostic messages. |
| FS-007 | Integration contract | The CSV → JSON format is stable for invocation from LIMS/ELN/MES, scheduled task or wrapper service. |
| FS-008 | Error handling | Schema error, missing file, non-numeric value or JSON write failure returns diagnosable error without silent PASS. |
8. output.json contract
The output file must be suitable for automated processing, audit review and correlation with the source input.csv row.
{
"utility": "pHChecker",
"api": "p H",
"batchNumber": "",
"overallStatus": "PASS|WARNING|FAIL",
"checkedAtUtc": "2026-05-18T00:00:00Z",
"checks": [
{
"parameter": "MeasuredpH",
"value": "5.8",
"unit": "as specified",
"status": "PASS|WARNING|FAIL",
"message": "Rule-based check result"
},
{
"parameter": "LowerLimit",
"value": "4.5",
"unit": "as specified",
"status": "PASS|WARNING|FAIL",
"message": "Rule-based check result"
},
{
"parameter": "UpperLimit",
"value": "7.0",
"unit": "as specified",
"status": "PASS|WARNING|FAIL",
"message": "Rule-based check result"
},
{
"parameter": "ProductName",
"value": "Sodium Chloride Injection",
"unit": "as specified",
"status": "PASS|WARNING|FAIL",
"message": "Rule-based check result"
}
],
"criticalFindings": [],
"sourceFile": "input.csv"
}9. OQ/PQ test scenarios
| ID | Scenario | Expected result |
|---|---|---|
| TC-001 | Valid CSV with expected header and sample row | All rows are processed; output contains PASS/WARNING/FAIL and parameter-level detail. |
| TC-002 | A mandatory input.csv column is missing | Import is rejected or the row receives FAIL with schema reference. |
| TC-003 | A numeric field contains text or a blank value | Type conversion error is recorded; the result is not hidden as PASS. |
| TC-004 | A parameter is outside specification or critical limit | Critical parameters produce FAIL; non-critical deviations produce WARNING according to the rule. |
10. QA/QC, CSV and change control
- Before production use, the client records executable version, checksum, specification/monograph version, test CSV, expected JSON and IQ/OQ results.
- Column names must not be changed without updating the validator and test scenarios.
- The source CSV, output.json and utility version should be stored together as an evidence package.
- Any change in control rules must go through change control and repeated OQ scenario verification.
Included in packages
EAEU Pharmacopoeia QC Suite
Package for EAEU pharmacopoeial methods: specifications, dissolution, microbiology, impurities and general tests.
OpenOphthalmology QC Suite
QC package for ophthalmology: eye drops, antiglaucoma agents, antibiotics, sterile solutions, osmolality, pH, particles and preservatives.
Open