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Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the primary and secondary labels of plantbased medicines. Method: This research has a cross-sectional and descriptive. The procedure consisted of analyzing 100 labels of medicinal plant-based products used by elderly people from (in) Macapá-AP, in 2017. A script was prepared to verify their adequacy to health standards based on the Brazilian legislation (commercial name, botanical nomenclature, active ingredients, concentration, route of administration, age-restricted use, quantity and pharmaceutical form, preservation care, company name, CNPJ - Brazils's companies registration number, composition, SAC, expiration date, manufacture and batch), descriptive analysis of the data was performed (protocol number 38400314.9.0000.0003). Results: Only 4% of the products completely met the analyzed criteria. One of the main problems observed was the absence of a uniform standard of presentation of information on the packaging. About 7% of these products did not present any information besides the popular name of the medicinal plant used, 37% of the packages (or labels) contain statements and images that induce self-medication, errors in use, or references to "natural medicine", besides, transmitting the idea that the product has superior properties to drugs on the market. Conclusions: The results obtained suggest that the packaging of medicinal plant-based products induces the irrational use of medicines due to the lack of adequate information, as well as the presence of inadequate makenting strategies, in accordance with current national legislation.
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ABSTRACT Purpose: This study aimed to determine the variation in diameters of outer and inner apertures of eyedropper tips using a computer vision system. Standardizing the size of eye drop nozzles is crucial to reduce the treatment cost of chronic eye diseases and to ensure a continued use of medication. An eyedropper volume of >20 µL (maximum storage of the conjunctival sac) causes medication wastage and increases treatment costs. Methods: We measured the diameters of the outer and inner apertures of eyedropper tips and evaluated variations in diameters using a computerized visual inspection system. Results: The computer visual inspection system identified anomalies in the apertures of eyedropper tips that resulted in diameter variations. Conclusions: The results of the present study show discrepancies in diameters of eyedropper tips, suggesting a variation in eyedropper size and medication wastage.
RESUMO Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo determinar a variação dos diâmetros das aberturas externa e interna dos bicos conta-gotas utilizando sistema de visão computacional. A padronização do tamanho dos colírios conta-gotas é importante para reduzir o custo do tratamento de doenças crônicas e garantir o uso contínuo de medicamentos. O volume da gota maior do que 20 µl (volume de armazenamento máximo do saco conjuntival) gera desperdício da medicação e aumenta o custo do tratamento. Métodos: Medimos os diâmetros das aberturas externa e interna das pontas dos conta-gotas e avaliamos as variações no diâmetro usando um sistema de inspeção visual computadorizado. Resultados: O sistema de inspeção visual por computador identificou anomalias nas aberturas dos bicos dos frascos conta-gotas que resultaram em variações de diâmetro. Conclusões: Os resultados do presente estudo mostram discrepâncias nos diâmetros dos bicos dos frascos dos conta-gotas, sugerindo uma variação no tamanho das gotas e no desperdício de remédios.
Subject(s)
Ophthalmic Solutions/administration & dosage , Artificial Intelligence , Drug Packaging/standards , Reference Standards , Analysis of Variance , Administration, OphthalmicABSTRACT
RESUMO Objetivo: Reduzir a identificação errônea de colírios, por meio do uso de substâncias com cores diferentes. Métodos: Um grupo de 34 voluntários saudáveis foi apresentado a dois grupos de quatro colírios cada. Todos os colírios foram colocados em frascos idênticos sem rótulo. Em um grupo de quatro colírios, todos tinham conteúdos transparentes. No outro grupo, cada um dos quatro possuía uma substância de cor diferente. A cada um foi atribuído um número, e o voluntário foi solicitado a identificá-lo por meio da cor. Medimos o índice de acerto na identificação dos colírios dos dois grupos. Resultados: Os voluntários possuíam nível de formação desde Fundamental incompleto até Pós-Graduação completa, sendo 16 do sexo masculino (48%) e 18 do sexo feminino (52%), com idades variando de 21 até 87 anos. O índice de acerto no grupo de colírios coloridos foi de 88% e, no grupo de colírios transparentes, de 24%. Conclusão: O uso de colorações em colírios pode auxiliar na diferenciação entre os frascos e prevenir a identificação errônea.
ABSTRACT Objective: To reduce the inappropriate identification of eye drops, through the use of different colors. Methods: A group of 34 healthy volunteers was presented to two groups of four eye drops each. All eye drops were placed in identical, unlabelled vials. In one group, all four eye drops were transparent. In the other group, each had a different color. A number was assigned to each eye drop, and the volunteer was asked to identify it by color. We measured the correct index in the identification of the eye drops of the two groups. Results: The volunteers had a level of education from incomplete junior school to complete graduate course, with 16 males (48%) and 18 females (52%), age range of 21 to 87 years. The success rate in the group of colored eye drops was 88% and, in the group of transparent, 24%. Conclusion: The use of colorings in eye drops can help distinguishing the vials and preventing misidentification.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Young Adult , Ophthalmic Solutions , Color , Educational StatusABSTRACT
Objective To produce a plastic ampoule with an opening that fits syringe adapters to allow solutions to be drawn up without needles (to avoid needle stick and sharps injuries) and to test the effectiveness of the new design in terms of residual fluid volume and risk of microorganism contamination. Methods Evaluation study based on laboratory research was adopted. For the experimental group, 30 ampoules based on the new design were produced by 3D printing. The ampoules were sterilized and filled with 2 ml sterile water. The sterile water was drawn up without the use of needles, and the wastage fluid (i.e., 2 ml minus the quantity drawn up) was calculated. A 1 ml aliquot of sterile water from each ampoule was dropped onto a nutrient agar plate, and the number of colony-forming units was assessed after 48 h. For each ampoule, the experiment was performed twice. Sixty 2 ml glass-packaged sterile water injections constituted the control group. The fluid was drawn up with a needle, and the superfluous fluid and number of colony-forming units were assessed, as in the experimental group. Results The mean wastage fluid was 0.06 ml, 95% CI was 0.05-0.07 ml in the experimental group and the superfluous fluid was 0.06 ml, 95% CI was 0.06-0.07 ml in the control group, there was no significant difference between the two groups (Z=-1.194, P=0.233). The number of colony-forming units was 8 in the experimental group and 4 in the control group, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.224). Conclusions The newly designed plastic ampoule opening could help health workers to avoid needle stick and sharps injuries when drawing up solution. The wastage fluid and microorganism contamination levels met the required standards, indicating that the new design is suitable for clinical application.
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Objective:To develop a method for the simultaneous determination of vinyl chloride and vinylidenechloride in drug packaging materials containing polyvinyl chloride /polyvinylidene chloride by HS-GC.Methods: A Stabilwax (30.0 m ×0.25 mm, 0.25 μm) capillary column and an FID detector were adopted .The headspace equivalent temperature was 80℃for 30 min and the col-umn temperature was 40℃.The inlet temperature was 190℃and the detector temperature was 210℃.N2 was used as the carrier gas . The flow rate was 1.0 ml · min-1 .Results: Vinyl chloride had a good linear relationship within the range of 0.5-2.5 μg ( r =0.996 7), and the average recovery was 90.4%(RSD=0.9%, n=9).Vinylidenechloride had a good linear relationship within the range of 1.0-5.0 μg (r=0.999 0), and the average recovery was 90.0%(RSD=0.6%, n=9).Conclusion: The method is fast and accurate in the simultaneous determination of vinyl chloride and vinylidenechloride in drug packaging materials containing polyvinyl chloride/polyvinylidene chloride .
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Com base em análise documental, foram discutidas e problematizadas as limitações associadas à utilização de organizadores e cortadores de comprimidos, como questão de saúde pública. Os organizadores destinados ao armazenamento e transporte de comprimidos e cápsulas expõem essas formas farmacêuticas a fatores ambientais dos quais estariam protegidos em suas embalagens originais, comprometendo sua estabilidade, eficácia e segurança. Os cortadores oferecem risco adicional quanto a perda da eficácia, reações adversas e intoxicação. Por outro lado, o transporte de medicamentos pelo usuário é reflexo da conciliação entre autonomia e autocuidado e a partição de comprimidos é necessária para cumprir certos regimes posológicos. Conclui-se que cabe aos profissionais observar e orientar pacientes e cuidadores, visando à adequação dessas condutas e à prevenção dos riscos envolvidos.
In this essay, based on documental analysis, the limitations associated with the use of pill organizers and cutters are discussed and analyzed as a matter of public health. The use of the organizers for storing and carrying tablets and capsules exposes these medications to environmental factors from which their original packaging protected them, compromising their stability and safeness. Cutters also pose the additional risk of causing loss of efficacy, adverse reactions and overdose. On the other hand, the user carrying their own medication reflects the balance between autonomy and self-care, and splitting is sometimes required to comply with certain regimens. It can be concluded that healthcare professionals should observe and guide patients and caregivers in order to avoid risks.
Objetivo Con base en análisis documental, se discutieron y señalaron los problemas de las limitaciones asociadas a la utilización de organizadores y cortadores de comprimidos, con respecto a la salud pública. Los organizadores destinados al almacenamiento y transporte de comprimidos y cápsulas exponen las formas farmacéuticas a factores ambientales de los cuales estarían protegidos en sus embalajes originales, comprometiendo su estabilidad, eficacia y seguridad. Los cortadores ofrecen riesgo adicional con relación a la pérdida de la eficacia, reacciones adversas e intoxicación. Por otro lado, el transporte de medicamentos por el usuario es reflejo de la conciliación entre autonomía y autocuidado, y la partición de comprimidos es necesaria para cumplir ciertos regímenes posológicos. Se concluye que resta a los profesionales observar y orientar pacientes y cuidadores, buscando la adecuación de esas conductas y la prevención de los riesgos involucrados.
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Humans , Capsules/administration & dosage , Drug Packaging , Drug Stability , Drug Storage/methods , Tablets/administration & dosage , Drug Packaging/methodsABSTRACT
Authors defined the concept of drug packaging wastes,and analyzed the current administration of such waste recycling in China.With reference to experiences of other countries and Taiwan,the paper proposed to refine the legal framework for recycling drug packaging waste in China,by categorizing to set up the categorized recycling mechanism,and by refining the process to build the reverse logistics recycling system.