<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3/A</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-01-03</periodOfReport>

    <dateOfOriginalSubmission>2007-01-05</dateOfOriginalSubmission>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001047188</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PENWEST PHARMACEUTICALS CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PPCO</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001385155</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Meeker David P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>39 OLD RIDGEBURY ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 11</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DANBURY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06810-5120</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks>David Meeker was made a director of the board on 1/3/07.  This Form 3 amendment is being filed for the purpose of attaching the Power of Attorney which was omitted from the original filing.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/Jennifer L. Good, Atty-in-Fact for David Meeker</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-01-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
