Compliance with good practice in prescription writing at outpatient clinics in Saudi Arabia

A sample of prescription orders received from outpatient departments by a hospital pharmacy in Asir, Saudi Arabia, were analysed over 1 year for the essential elements of prescriptions. The prescriber's name, address and signature were on 83.3%, 9.6% and 81.9% of prescriptions respectively. The patient's name, age and sex were on 94.6%, 77.3% and 51.3%. No prescription contained the patient's address and weight. Generic drug names were used in only 15.1% and strength of medication and dose units were included in 26.6% and 55.6% of prescriptions. Most prescriptions [94.0%] had no quantity indicated and had only partial instructions for patient use [90.7%]; the diagnosis was included in about two-thirds. The prescriber's handwriting was illegible in 64.3% of prescriptions. Measures to improve the situation are suggested

Biotransformation of progesterone to II alpha-hydroxy-progesterone using the immobilized spores and mycelium of Mucor racemosus NRRL 3639

Immobilized spores and mycelium of M. racemosus NRRL 3639 were used to transform progesterone to II-alpha-hydroxy-progesterone [II- alpha- HP], where different fermentation parameters; namely, alginate concentration, time course, different progesterone levels, progesterone coimmobilization, semi-continuous transformation, pH values of the used buffer and addition of some activators, were investigated. The results showed that good yield of II-alpha-hydroxy- progesterone was obtained by using 3% w/v alginate concentration, 48-hour transformation period and 20 mg progesterone, whereas the optimal progesterone concentration for the immobilized spores was 30 mg/50 ml medium. On the other hand, coimmobilization using 100 mg progesterone/10 g wet mycelium at pH 6 and enhancement by MgSO4.7H2O, FeSO4.7H2O and riboflavin gave better yield of II-alpha-HP

Microbiological transformation of progesterone to II alpha- hydroxy progesterone using mucor racemosus NRRL 3639

The filamentous fungus Mucor racemosus NRRL 3639 efficiently hydroxylated exogenous progesterone to its II-alpha- hydroxy derivative HP. The studies of some parameters affecting the transformation reaction were carried out involving the suitability of the fermentation medium, transformation period, pH, progesterone concentration, addition of some vitamins of B group, micro- and microelements and some steroids as inducers. The results showed that the suitability of Kenawy's medium with pH 6, progesterone concentration 10 mg/50 ml, 48-hour transformation period and II-alpha- HP as inducer, riboflavin 1 mg/50 ml, potassium ferricyanide 1 mg/50 ml, [Mg+2, Fe+2, Mn+2, PO4-3] ions gave the maximum bioconversion reaction [74.3%]