Formulation and in vitro evaluation of directly compressed controlled release tablets designed from the Co-precipitates

Controlled release dosage forms provide sustained therapeutics effects for prolonged period of time and improve patient compliance. In present study, controlled release co-precipitates of Metoprolol Tartrate and Losartan Potassium were prepared by solvent evaporation method using polymers such as Eudragit RL 100 and Carbopol 974PNF and controlled release tablets were directly compressed into tablets. In-vitro dissolution of controlled release coprecipitates were performed by USP Method-II [paddle method] and tablets were evaluated by USP Method-I [rotating basket method] in phosphate buffer [PH 6.8] using pharma test dissolution apparatus. The temperature was maintained constant at 37 +/- 1.0 0 C and the rotation speed of paddle and basket was kept constant at 100rpm. Drug release mechanisms were determined by applying Power Law kinetic model. The difference and similarity of dissolution profiles test formulations with reference standards were also determined by applying difference factor [f1] and similarity factor [f2]. The results showed that the controlled release co-precipitates with polymer Eudragit RL 100 of both the drug extended the drug release rates for 10 hours and those having polymer Carbopol 974P NF extended the drug release rates for 12 hours. The controlled release tablets prepared from controlled release co-precipitates extended the drugs release up to 24 hours with both the polymers. The drug was released by all tests anomalous non fickian mechanism except F1 and F5 do not follow Power Law. The f1 and f2 values obtained were not in acceptable limits except F15 whose values were in acceptable limits. It is concluded from the present study that polymers [Eudragit RL 100 and Carbopol 974P NF] can be efficiently used in development of controlled release dosage forms having predictable kinetics

Bridging the gap for clinical pharmacist in developing countries like Pakistan

Clinical pharmacists should be increasingly important members of the healthcare team in developing countries such as Pakistan. Survey of literature was conducted to identify the determinants of clinical pharmacy in Pakistan. Lack of trained human capital, shortage of resources, patient overburden, inefficient pharmacy education curriculum, and limited job opportunities are some of the determinants of clinical pharmacy profession in developing countries. The underutilization of clinical pharmacists paves the way for an increased incidence of medication errors, adverse drug events, irrational prescribing, and suboptimal therapeutic outcomes. Integration mapping is an important framework for providing guidelines in protocol planning for improvement in a profession. A step by step change is required to promote the growth of clinical pharmacy profession in Pakistan

Validation and application of high performance liquid chromatographic method for the estimation of metoclopramide hydrochloride in plasma

The objective of this study was validation of a reverse phase HPLC method for the estimation of metoclopramide HCl in plasma already validated for determination of metoclopramide HCl in tablets dosage form. A reverse chromatographic method was used for estimation of metoclopramide HCl with the mobile phase of acetonitrile, 20mM potassium dihydrogen phosphate buffer solution [pH 3.0 adjusted with orthophosphoric acid] in the ratio of 40: 60. The column used was Waters C18 3.9x300mm micro Bondapak [RP]. The flow rate of the mobile phase was 2ml/ minute. The detector was set at the wavelength of 275nm. This method validated in plasma and was found to be linear, with correlation coefficient [R[2]], value of 0.9988, in the range of 48 ng/ml-0.25ng/ml. The method modified was accurate, precise, sensitive and showed good stability results. The % RSD of the retention time and peak area of metoclopramide HCl was 0.19% and 1.44% respectively. All the parameters such as specificity, linearity, range, accuracy, precision, system suitability, solution stability, detection and quantification limits were evaluated to validate this method and were found within the acceptance limits. The method can be effectively used for estimation of metoclopramide HCl in plasma

Acute renal failure in diabetes mellitus

To study the causes and outcome of Acute renal failure [ARF] in diabetes mellitus. This prospective study was conducted at nephrology unit of SIUT Karachi, Pakistan from November 2012 to May 2013. All adult patients with known underlying diabetes presenting with suspected ARF were included in the study. The treatment options were conservative and dialysis. Renal biopsy was performed in selected patients. All patients were followed for a period of six weeks for outcome of renal failure i.e. recovery, dialysis dependency and death. A total of 95 patients with suspected ARF were enrolled during this period. We found sepsis as the single most common factor causing ARF in 66 [69.5%] patients and the most common focus of infection was found to be urinary tract in 47 [71.2%] patients. Other factors leading to ARF included volume depletion in 19 [20%], cardio renal in 13 [13.7%], acute glomerulonephritis in 3 [3.15%] and contrast exposure in 2 [2.1%] patients. In all 72 [75.8%] patients required dialysis, while 23 [24.2%] were managed conservatively. Eventually 62 [67.39%] patients recovered, 14 [15.21%] became dialysis dependent, and 16 [17.39%] died. Among those who expired, all underwent dialysis and sepsis was the leading cause of death in 13 [81.25%] patients. Infection, especially of urinary tract is the leading cause of ARF in Diabetics. Outcome is favourable in those who dot require dialysis

Shouldice Versus Bassini's Procedures for Inguinal Hernial Repair

Objective: To evaluate the optimum surgical technique for inguinal hernia repair, Shouldice or Bassini's. Study Design: Retrospective comparative study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted between 2004 to 2006 in the surgical ward DHQ Hospital Karak. 200 patients with unilateral and primary inguinal hernia were randomly allotted to either Shouldice or Bassini's repair. The cases were collected either as emergencies or electively. Materials and Methods: All the patients had primary and unilateral inguinal hernia. They were operated electilively or as emergencies. Patients were randomly allotted to either Shouldice or Bassini's repair. The Shouldice was performed with 210 prolene in four layers while the bassini's repair was done with prolene 0 or 1. Results: The patients operated for inguinal hernia were followed for up to 5 years. The shouldice repair was found associated with a lowest recurrence rate of 3% and the Bassini's repair with 5.7%. The difference remains statistically significant [P<0.001]. Conclusion: The Shouldice repair for inguinal hernia was associated with a recurrence rate of less than 1% in the Shouldice clinic at TOR ONTO