ABSTRACT
Depuis le début de la crise épidémique liée au virus Covid-19, pour de nombreux citoyens, se laver les mains est devenu un rituel nécessaire. Le gel hydroalcoolique constitue une solution alternative qui a été popularisée par les recommandations des autorités sanitaires dans le cas d'indisponibilité du lavage des mains. Que cela soit en pharmacie, en supermarché, ou sur internet, de nombreux sites de commerce proposent ces produits à la vente. Toutefois l'appellation ne garantit pas l'efficacité de chaque produit vendu. C'est ainsi que la présente étude s'est attelée à l'évaluation de la qualité des gels hydroalcooliques (GHA) utilisés pour la désinfection des mains au cours de la crise sanitaire liée au Coronavirus. Au total, 28 échantillons dont 23 importés et 5 locaux ont été collectés dans 16 supermarchés de la ville de Cotonou. Ils ont été soumis au test d'inspection visuelle, aux tests organoleptiques ainsi qu'aux analyses physico-chimiques et microbiologiques. Au terme de l'étude, 17,86% des GHA ont été déclarés non-conformes par rapport aux inspections visuelles, 39,28% par rapport aux tests organoleptiques, 21% par rapport au pH et à la densité et enfin 21% de non-conformité aux tests microbiologiques. Le taux de non-conformité est plus important dans le camp des gels importés ce qui atteste l'effort des producteurs locaux pour le respect des normes promulguées par les autorités sanitaires
Since the start of the epidemic crisis linked to the Covid-19 virus, for many citizens, washing their hands has become a necessary ritual. Hydroalcoholic gel constitutes an alternative solution which has been popularized by the recommendations of the health authorities in the case of hand washing unavailable. Whether in pharmacies, supermarkets, or on the internet, many shopping sites offered these products for sale. However, this name does not guarantee the effectiveness of each product sold. The present study has been set out to assess the quality of hydroalcoholic gels (GHA) used for hand disinfection during the health crisis linked to the Coronavirus. In total, 28 samples, of which 23 were imported and 5 locals, were collected in 16 supermarkets in the city of Cotonou. They were subjected to visual inspection test, organoleptic tests as well as physico-chemical and microbiological analyzes. At the end of the study, 17.86% of GHAs were declared non-compliant with respect to visual inspections, 39.28% with respect to organoleptic tests, 21% with respect to pH and density and finally 21% of noncompliance with microbiological testing. The rate of non-compliance is higher in the imported gel camp, which attests to the efforts of local producers to comply with the standards promulgated by the health authorities
Subject(s)
Quality Control , Efficacy , Hand Sanitizers , COVID-19 , CommerceABSTRACT
Background. External reference pricing (ERP) is an internationally applied pricing policy to regulate the price of medicines. In 2005, the South African (SA) Minister of Health published a Government Gazette of regulations relating to a transparent pricing system for medicines and scheduled substances, stating that the Minister must publish a methodology for conforming to international benchmarks. In May 2014, the most recent proposed benchmark methodology was published, detailing that international benchmarking of medicines (IBM) requires that the lowest price in a selected basket of countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Spain and SA) be used as the ultimate price for the purposes of benchmarking of originator products.Objectives. To provide a broad observational basis for the use of IBM and the proposed countries as a pricing tool; the feasibility of using BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and SA) as comparator countries; and a small sample comparison of local state tender pricing in relation to the IBM proposed basket of comparator country pricing. Immunosuppressant medicines for organ transplant patients were used for this comparison, as they are relatively expensive and there is reluctance to implement pricing and reimbursement policy options to contain their costs.Methods. Ex-manufacturer medicine pricing information for 2016, 2017 and 2018 was sourced for immunosuppressive medicines for SA (public and private sectors), Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Spain, Brazil and Russia. Unit prices were compared for products with the same international non-proprietary name (INN), strength, formulation and manufacturer. In most cases the products were matched on product name, bearing translation nuances in mind.Results. Across all 3 years, in the majority of products, ERP using the proposed basket of comparator countries Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Spain lowered the local private sector ex-manufacturer price of medicine. Similarly, for the majority of products comparing local pricing with that of available BRICS country pricing data, the comparison lowered the price. For 92% of products where a comparison could be made, the SA state tender price was the lowest available price.Conclusions. Conducting an ERP analysis consumes time and resources. However, it may prove to reduce a current or proposed medicine price and may be considered as one of a range of medicine pricing policies employed by a country. It should not be used in isolation from other medicine pricing and reimbursement policies
Subject(s)
Benchmarking , Commerce , Organ Transplantation , South AfricaABSTRACT
Previous studies conducted in Nigeria have shown that Patent Medicine Vendors (PMVs) provide a substantial proportion of contraceptive services. The Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) provided guidelines for the delivery of contraceptive services by PMVs. This study was therefore designed to identify types of contraceptives dispensed by PMVs and determine their compliance with the FMOH guidelines in Ibadan North Local Government Area. An observational check-list and a validated interviewer administered questionnaire containing a 47- point knowledge scale were used for data collection. Data were analysed using descriptive and Chi-square statistics. Respondents' mean age was 32.8±7.0 years, 80.9% were females, 63.5% were West African School Certificate holders. Most respondents (98.2%) were trained through the apprenticeship system. Only 17.4% were formally trained on the provision of contraceptive services. Contraceptive- related services offered by PMVs as stipulated by the guidelines were: counselling (96.5%), community sensitization (46.3%) and referral (96.4%). Virtually all (98.6%) respondents had ever dispensed contraceptives. A large proportion (72.7%) of respondents dispensed oral contraceptives contrary to the FMOH guidelines. The contraceptives ever dispensed by respondents included: male condoms (96.1%), female condoms (4.3%), doufem (72.3%), pregnon (18.8%), spermicide (4.9%) and intrauterine device (1.8%). Respondents' mean knowledge score was 25.9±5.8. Mean knowledge score on the provision of contraceptives services among males and females were 27.7±5.9 and 25.6±5.7 respectively. On compliance 3.7% of respondents complied fully with the FMOH guidelines on contraceptive service delivery. Compliance with stipulated guidelines by the Federal Ministry of Health on the provision of contraceptive services was low among the study population. The patent medicine licensing authorities should ensure that all patent medicine vendors are provided with the Federal Ministry of Health guidelines relating to the dispensing of contraceptives. Patent Medicine Vendors should be trained on the effective use of the guidelines
Subject(s)
Commerce , Contraception , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Local Government , Nigeria , Patient ComplianceABSTRACT
Purpose: To study the physical properties and dissolution profiles of commercial samples of artesunate and amodiaquine tablets. Methods: Fifteen generic brands of artesunate and five generic brands of amodiaquine tablets were obtained from drug retail outlets in Oyo and Ogun States in southwestern Nigeria. The tablets were subjected to various compendial tests including identification; weight uniformity; uniformity of content; content of active ingredient and uniformity of diameter. Additional tests used as a basis for the assessment of the pharmaceutical equivalence of the products include hardness; disintegration time and dissolution rate. Data obtained were analysed by correlation analysis; Chi-square and ANOVA. Results: Thirteen generic brands of artesunate (87) and four amodiaquine brands (80) investigated were imported. Two brands of the imported artesunate brands were found to contain undetectable amount of artesunate while another 8 samples contained overages. All the amodiaquine brands passed the assay test as stipulated by United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) for amodiaquine tablets while tablet disintegration time of amodiaquine products ranged from 5.8 - 20.7 min. All but one artesunate sample passed the disintegration test too. A majority of the artesunate brands tested had significantly different dissolution profiles (p 0.05). Four (80) of the amodiaquine tablet brands tested had similar dissolution profiles and percent drug released within 30 min (p 0.05). One amodiaquine brand demonstrated poor dissolution profile as it did not meet minimum dissolution requirements within 30 min. Conclusion: The detection of substandard artesunate tablets and a poorly formulated amodiaquine tablet amongst the few sample brands studied highlights the need for increased drug surveillance and monitoring of the qualities of antimalarial medicines currently in use in order to prevent widespread treatment failure
Subject(s)
Amodiaquine , Artesunate , Commerce , PharmacokineticsABSTRACT
Background: Patent medicine vendors are major providers antimalaria treatment in Nigeria. The management of malaria by this informal sector of healthcare delivery is however dominated by negative practices. This study determines the influence of training on antimalaria treatment practices of patent medicine vendors. Methods: Fifty-five patent medicine vendors selected through a multistage sampling technique in Birnin-Kebbi were recruited into the study. Their baseline treatment practices were determined and the negative ones identified. Intervention training was instituted and its impact assessed using a interviewer-administered questionnaire. Simulated visit mystery client survey which involved direct observation of patent medicine vendors practice was conducted after the intervention and the results compared with self reported post intervention practices. Results: The negative practices identified included inappropriate dosage regimen; frequent unnecessary use of injectables and alteration of physicians' prescriptions. Following the intervention training of the patent medicine vendors; the overall appropriate treatment practice score rose from baseline value of 3.6to 45.5(p0.05) and significantly lower than the post training values (p0.05) and was significantly lower than the post intervention values (p
Subject(s)
Antimalarials/education , Commerce , Malaria/therapyABSTRACT
The assessment of heavy metals (lead and mercury) and by-product (sulphur) on fried food sold by roadside food vendors in Calabar; Nigeria were investigated. The food samples which were covered and uncovered after frying were obtained randomly from 20 street food vendors. The food samples were obtained from 10 busy roads and 10 non- busy roads in Calabar; Nigeria. The busy roads were those roads that recorded more than 20 cars per minute; while the non-busy roads recorded less than 10 cars per minute. The result showed that the busy roads had significant (P0.05) higher depositions of heavy metals and by-products than the non-busy roads. Lead deposits on the food samples was significantly (P0.05) higher than the amount of mercury and significantly (P0.05) higher than the amount of sulphur deposit. The amount of sulphur deposit on the food samples was significantly higher (P0.05) than mecury. The food samples that was uncovered after frying had a significantly higher (P0.05) deposit of heavy metal and by-product than the food samples that were covered after frying. This result suggest that fried foods vended in calabar by the road-side have a serious public health concern
Subject(s)
Commerce , Food , Food Contamination , Lead , Mercury , SulfurABSTRACT
The evaluation of heavy metals in canned meat and fish foods sold in Calabar; Nigeria was investigated. Ten samples from six different brands of canned meat and fish sold in Calabar were obtained from randomly selected markets and grocery shops. Each of the different sample types were then pooled together brand-wise and then evaluated for heavy metal deposits; lead; Mercury; Arsenic and cadmium; using standard techniques. Lead level in canned fish (0.988mg/kg); (0.816mg/kg) in meat were significantly higher (P
Subject(s)
Commerce , Food , MetalsABSTRACT
The chemical and biological evaluation of fried plantain sold by roadside vendors was investigated. Twentyone male wister albino rats weighing between 35g to 80g were divided into three groups of seven rats each. Group 1 (control) rats were fed with plantain fried with fresh vegetable oil (FVO); Group 2 rats were fed plantain fried with 7 days used oil (degraded oil; DO); and Group 3 rats were fed with plantain fried with degraded oil but treated with antioxidant vitamin C (TDO). After 11 wks of feeding; the rats were anaesthetized with chloroform and dissected. The livers were removed; weighed; crushed and centrifuged in normal saline to obtain homogenates that were used for analysis of total protein and total lipids. The results showed a significant decrease (p
Subject(s)
Commerce , Musa/chemistry , RatsABSTRACT
A pilot study was carried out involving 193 market traders randomly selected from the three markets in the Port Harcourt metropolis; of Rivers State; Nigeria. A questionnaire was administered to investigate the HIV/AIDS awareness of these traders. Fifty (50) percent of the respondents were in the age range of 21 to 30 years; 69were single and 95were Christians. The results indicate that the traders were knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS. However; there were some misconceptions. Though highly sexually active; only 18considered themselves at risk of contracting or having contracted the virus. The news media scored highest as a source of HIV/AIDS information. A high percentage (56) of the respondents claimed that their sexual behaviours have not been altered as a result of the HIV/AIDS awareness but 73will now advise/ use a condom. It appears that these traders will now exercise caution in negotiating new sexual relationships. It is recommended that awareness be scaled up; considering that majority of these traders are not literate; are making meager incomes and therefore might be tempted to consider sex; as a means of augmenting these meager incomes
Subject(s)
HIV , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , Awareness , Commerce , Pilot ProjectsABSTRACT
Purpose: The widespread use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) has meant that the adverse effects of these relatively safe drugs have become increasingly prevalent. This work examines the pattern of sale and use of NSAIDs as to call for caution in cases of misuse that may lead to renal; gastrointestinal and cardiac damage in users. Methods: 56 drug outfit managers in patent medicine store; pharmacy; hospital drug unit and market centre visited in their outlets; were evaluated with respect to years of experience; educational level and registration status. 180 NSAIDs users were also assessed based on their perception and pattern of use of the drugs in view of their personally declared previously and diagnosed ailments. Results: 86of the drug outfit managers had less than tertiary education with 59of the sampled outfits being unregistered and unlicensed. 74of the sample population procured their NSAIDs from sources where adequate pharmaceutical care is unlikely to be available in an observed situation where 79have clinical conditions likely to be worsened by NSAID misuse.11.1of the respondents who are categorized as geriatrics ingest NSAIDs daily while over 23of this class require more than two different NSAIDs at a time. Conclusion: Restriction in the sale; by way of reviewing the sale status; of NSAIDs will drastically reduce the rate at which the drugs are ingested. The possible gastrointestinal; renal and cardiac damage due to NSAID misuse requires evaluation so that the required level of caution can be exercised in the handling of the drugs
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents , Cities , Commerce , Drug Utilization , Rural PopulationABSTRACT
"Malaria is a major public health problem in endemic countries; and the quality of anti-malarial products is a concern in the therapeutic management of individual patient. In this study; we have evaluated the pharmaceutical quality of chloroquine and paracetamol oral products obtained from a major Nigerian drug ""market"" using a less elaborate sampling procedure. Results have shown that there are still some defects in the pharmaceutical quality of these drugs; despite the activities of the Nigeria's drug regulatory agency (National agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control; NAFDAC). 21(7/34) of the drug products were not registered by NAFDAC. The pharmaceutical properties of the products indicated that 6; 15; 9; and 9of them failed tests for disintegration; dissolution; crushing strength; and percentage of active content; respectively. 4 out of the 6 chloroquine liquid preparations evaluated had inadequate active content. These defects could have resulted from deliberate counterfeiting; poor quality control during manufacture or decomposition of the products. However; this could not be ascertained from the data available to us in this study. The implication of these findings; however; is that the newer anti-malarial drugs that have recently been introduced into the Nigerian market should be safeguarded; if their therapeutic usefulness must be sustained."
Subject(s)
Acetaminophen , Antimalarials , Chloroquine , Commerce , Quality ControlABSTRACT
Dans le cadre de la mise en oeuvre de la politique pharmaceutique au Mali; une commission paritaire de suivi des produits pharmaceutiques a usage humain a ete mise en place; qui a recommande une etude afin de determiner les prix d'acquisition des medicaments par les grossistes prives au Mali; les prix de cession aux officines privees et les prix de vente aux patients par les officines. Cette etude s'est deroulee dans le district de Bamako et dans les regions de Sikasso; Segou et Kayes en juin 2004 et a porte sur 13 etablissements d'importation et 89 officines. L'etude a montre une relative stabilite des prix des specialites et une grande varia-bilite des prix des generiques ; elle a permis l'adoption de deux decrets reglementant le prix des generiques; l'un dans le secteur public (2003) et l'autre dans le secteur prive (2006)
Subject(s)
Commerce , Drugs, GenericABSTRACT
Bacteriological quality of some pharmaceutical products purchased from open markets; buses and drug stores in Uyo metropolis was studied in order to determine the level of contamination of the drugs. The drug samples examined were Tetracycline capsules; Paracetamol tablets; Ampicillin capsules; Chloroquine tablets; Chloroquine syrup; Chloroquine injections; Flagyl tablets and Chloramphenicol tablets. The bacterial count ranged from 2.3x104 cfu/g to 4.4x104 cfu/g for the 16 samples of Ampicillin; 1.2x105 cfu/g to 1.8x104 cfu/g for the 7 samples of unsealed capsules of tetratcycline; 2.9x104 cfu/g to 3.8 x104 cfu/g for the 15 samples of paracetamol; 3.8 x104 cfu/ml to 2.0 x108 cfu/ml for the 23 samples of Chloroquine injection; tablets and syrup 1.0 x104 cfu/g to 4.8 x104 cfu/g for 15 samples of Flagyl. The organisms isolated were Bacillus subtilis (19.0); Staphylococcus aureus (25.0); Aerobacter aerogenes (7.0) and Proteus mirabilis (8.0). Although the counts obtained from this work were of low levels; the presence of known pathogenic microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus mirabilis in some drugs constitute a health hazard to the public