Aspects of microbial contamination of tablets dispensed in hospitals and community pharmacies in Benin City, Nigeria

PURPOSE: A research was carried out to investigate the incidence of microflora in tablets dispensed from large container packages used in hospitals and community pharmacies. It was designed to provide baseline data on the common biodegrading microorganisms associated with tablets in retail containers and to highlight the health implications of such observations and roles for pharmacists in self medication phenomenon in Nigeria. METHODS: The protocol for the study involved structured selection of representative named tablets from some public hospitals and community pharmacies within Benin metropolis. Constitutive microorganisms were elaborated and enumerated using standard microbiological protocols. RESULTS: Our results showed that all the tablets sampled had some form of microbial growth. However; aerobic mesophilic bacteria and fungi observed were within standard numerical limits. It was additionally observed that ascorbic acid and folic acid tablets; particularly from the community pharmacies failed the exclusive criteria for Enterobactereacea and Staphylococci. Tablets from public hospitals in general have lower incidence of exclusive microbial contamination; compared with community pharmacies. CONCLUSION: Tablets packed in large containers in retail pharmacies in Benin City are often contaminated with microbial growth. This has possible adverse consequences for those who obtain drugs stored in large containers

Studies on the genotoxic and mutagenic potentials of mefloquine

PURPOSE: The detection of mefloquine mutagenicity has not been achieved by the use of Salmonella typhimurium his TA1535; TA1537 as tester strains. With the introduction of improved and more sensitive strains; it is of interest to evaluate the current mutagenic and genotoxic status of the drug. This study presents data on the in-vitro mutagenic and genotoxic potentials of mefloquine hydrochloride clinically used as an antimalarial agent. METHOD : The mutagenicity potentials was investigated in the Escherichia coli WP[2] trp and WP[2] uvrA trp tester strains containing the plasmids; pEB017 and pKM101; and the Salmonella typhimurium TA97 containing pKM101. The genotoxicity potential was determined using the microscreen phage-induction assay. RESULTS: The presence of plasmids pEBO17 and pKM101 enhanced the detection of mutagenicity of mefloquine. Microsomal-activated mefloquine unequivocally elicited base-pair substitution mutagenicity. The genotoxicity test indicated that mefloquine was generally not genotoxic but was of the same potential mutagenicity as chloroquine phosphate. CONCLUSION: Melfloquine hydrochloride exhibits base pair substitution mutagenesis; but not potentially genotoxic; even though it showed concentration dependent cytotoxicity. Its use as a last line antimalarial agent should still be encouraged