4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thank you for confirming my instincts, Edith. Mind you, Jonathan's answer (and Gillian Scheibelein's "agree") provided some food for thought, and I appreciated the Duden reference. But in the end, I feel that "pharamaceutical" encompasses the concepts suggested by "pharmazeutisch-technisch" in German, and that in this instance, as in some others where "technisch" is used, it's fairly meaningless. One of those cases where the Germans really have to get specific whilst we can get away with being more general in English. Thanks again Edith, and also to the others who contributed (especially Jonathan, who gave another useful answer). Appreciate your help."