Provided is a process for producing spherical base granules comprising a easily water-soluble drug and suited for film coating by spraying a layering liquid over pharmaceutically inert spherical core particles, thereby coating the particles with a layer comprising the easily water-soluble drug, wherein (1) the spherical core particles have a microcrystalline cellulose content of 30 mass % or greater and a water absorbing capacity of 0.5 cm3/g or greater； and (2) the layering liquid is an aqueous solution comprising at least the easily water-soluble drug and a low water-soluble saccharide.
