The centrifuge technique has been used to compare particle-on-particle and particle-on-surface adhesion with Salmeterol Xinafoate particles on single lactose particles or compacted lactose surfaces. The results from particle-on-particle and particle-on-surface adhesion measurements are not equivalent in terms of median adhesion force. The assessment of adhesion using either particle-on-particle or particle-on-surface systems depends on the process on which information is required: e.g. mixing problems are better investigated by applying the particle-on-particle technique, whereas surface transport problems such as powder compaction or flow can be more appropriately studied using particle-on-surface measurements. Taking autoadhesion measurements from the previous study into account, adhesion and autoadhesion forces were found to allow the prediction and choice of mixture components for powder blends. The results suggest that the homogeneity of such a powder blend depends both on thermodynamic properties and on the adhesion and autoadhesion properties of the single components.