Analytical study of clarithromycin produced by companies which did not possess the patent rights

Many pharmaceuticals companies around the world produce active ingredients in spite of the fact they do not own the patent or marketing rights. These companies market these substances at prices lower than those of the patent holders. We have carried out analytical studies of some of these active ingredients. The aim of these studies is to establish their identity and purity as compared to those produced by the patent holders or to compendial reference standards. We have used analytical techniques such as infra-red spectrum, proton nuclear magnetic resonance [H' NMR], elemental analysis, and liquid chromatography linked with mass spectroscopy in addition to conventional techniques mentioned in compendial monographs like melting point, pH and residue on ignition tests. In the first part of this study, we have analyzed a sample of Clarithromycin manufactured by Indian Company [Ranbaxy], which manufactures several active ingredients still under patent. This sample has shown approximately the same identification as the material produced by Abbott Laboratories Ltd., a company that already holds the patent and marketing rights

Costos del tratamiento de erradicación del Helicobacter pylori en pacientes con úlcera péptica / Costs of treatment of Helicobacter pylori erradication in patients with peptic ulcer

Introducción: El tratamiento actual de la úlcera péptica en su etapa aguda es la erradicación del Helicobacter pylori (HP) junto con tratamiento de la úlcera con inhibidores de la bomba de protones (IBP). Objetivos Determinar el costo del tratamiento de erradicación con 2 antibióticos por 7 ó 14 días y el costo de diferentes inhibidores de la bomba de protones por 42 días. material y Método: Se revisó un documento farmacológico que contenía los precios de todos los medicamentos con un valor promedio de dólares de 670 pesos. Se analizó presentaciones, dosis y costo del tratamiento. Resultados: Hubo una importante variación de precios de los 2 antibióticos evaluados: Claritromicina y Amoxicilina, con costos que variaban entre 11.000 y 26.000 por 7 días. En cuanto a IBP hay 19 Omeprazoles en el merfcado nacional, con costos de tratamiento por 42 días que varían entre 2.922 pesos y 33800 pesos. Hay 5 Lanzoprazoles y 3 Pantoprazoles. El costo final de todo el tratamiento completo puede variar entre 14.229 pesos y 116.936 pesos. Conclusiones: Los costos de este tratamiento son muy variables y afectan fuertemente el presupuesto de los pacientes. por lo tanto, los médicos que prescriben estos tratamientos deben estar informados claramente de los costos.

Comparative efficacy of amoxicillin, cefuroxime and clarithromycin in the treament of community - acquired pneumonia in children

To compare the clinical response to amoxicillin, cefuroxime and clarithromycin in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in children and to see the cost effectiveness of each treatment. Design: Randomized clinical control trial. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pediatrics, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, from October 2001 to February 2002. Subjects and Patients between 3 to 72 months of age, admitted in the hospital with community acquired pneumonia, were randomly divided into three groups,1,2,3. They were started on amoxicillin, cefuroxime and clarithromycin respectively. The patients were assessed daily. If there was no clinical improvement at 48 hours the antibiotic was changed. ANOVA statistical test was applied to see the clinical response to the treatment in the three groups. Cost effectiveness of the treatment was compared. There was no statistical difference in the clinical response at 48 hours of initiating treatment and at discharge [p > 0.01 each]. The mean hospital stay in group 1 and 2 was 3.3 days and group 3 was 3.2 days respectively [p > 0.01]. Ninety-seven% patients in group 1 and 3, and 95% patients in group 2 showed clinical improvement. The cost of treatment of community acquired pneumonia for 8 days was Rs 496/-, 730/-, 1018/- for amoxicillin, clarithromycin and cefuroxime respectively. Amoxicillin was found the most cost effective followed by clarithromycin and cefuroxime respectively in the treatment of non-severe and severe community-acquired pneumonia