Quality Evaluation of Ciprofloxacin, Metronidazole, Albendazole Tablets and Amoxicillin Suspension, Marketed in Mwanza, Tanzania: A Cross Sectional Study

Emmanuel Kimaro; Tanga Mafuru; James Kapala; Raphael Matinde; Kayo Hamasaki; Raphael Shedafa; Prisca Damiano; Karol Juliuis Marwa; Eliangiringa Kaale

Emmanuel Kimaro Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS), P.O. Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania
Tanga Mafuru Department of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS), P.O. Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania
James Kapala Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS), P.O. Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania
Raphael Matinde Department of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS), P.O. Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania
Kayo Hamasaki Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS), P.O. Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania
Raphael Shedafa Pharm R&D Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), P.O. Box 65013, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Prisca Damiano Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS), P.O. Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania
Karol Juliuis Marwa Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS), P.O. Box 1464, Mwanza, Tanzania
Eliangiringa Kaale Pharm R&D Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), P.O. Box 65013, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), P.O. Box 65013, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Keywords: physical parameters, assay, dissolution

Abstract

In Tanzania, essential medicines like amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, and albendazole face potential quality challenges due to the risk of substandard and falsified drugs in the market. This study was carried out in Mwanza town, Tanzania to assess the quality of these drugs in order to address concerns about antimicrobial resistance and public safety. For this purpose, physical parameters, assay, and dissolution tests were conducted on samples of various brands according to the USP and BP monographs. All samples met USP standards for physical parameters and assay. But one brand of amoxicillin suspension failed assay test. Ciprofloxacin met dissolution criteria, but only one albendazole sample complied. About 47.6% of samples failed the quality tests performed. These results provide vital insights into pharmaceutical quality, safety and efficacy in the study area.