Validated spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods for analysis of the recently approved hepatitis C antiviral combination ledipasvir and sofosbuvir.

This work describes five simple and reliable spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods for analysis of hepatitis C antiviral binary mixture of ledipasvir (LPV) and sofosbuvir (SBV). Method I is based on the use of Amax and derivative spectrophotometry with the zero-crossing technique where LPV was determined using its Amax and 1D amplitudes at 324 and 338nm respectively, while SBV was determined by measuring the 1D amplitudes at 276nm. Method II involves the application of the ratio spectra derivative spectrophotometry. For LPV, 12µg/mL SBV was used as divisor and the 1DD amplitudes at 239.8nm were plotted against LPV concentrations; while by using 10µg/mL LPV, the amplitudes at 279.2nm were found proportional to SBV concentrations. Method III depends on ratio-difference measurement where the peak to trough amplitudes between 229.2 and 268.4nm were measured and correlated to LPV concentration. Similarly, the amplitudes between 268.6 and 229.2nm in the SBV ratio spectra were recorded. For method IV, the two compounds were separated using HPTLC sheets of silica gel and a mobile phase composed of chloroform-methanol (94:6) followed by densitometric measurement of LPV and SBV spots at 331 and 267nm respectively. Method V depends on HPLC-DAD. Effective chromatographic separation was achieved using Thermohypersil C8 column (4.6×250mm, 5µm) with a mobile phase consisting of 0.01M sodium dihydrogen phosphate (pH 2.5) and methanol (20:80) at a flow rate 1.2mL/min and detection at 332 and 262nm for LPV and SBV respectively. Analytical performance of the developed methods was validated according to the ICH guidelines with respect to linearity, ranges, precision, accuracy, detection and quantification limits. The validated methods were successfully applied to the simultaneous analysis of LPV and SBV in mixtures of different proportions and their combined tablet dosage form.

Validated stability-indicating HPLC-DAD method for determination of the recently approved hepatitis C antiviral agent daclatasvir.

A comprehensive stability indicating HPLC with diode array detection method was developed for the determination of the recently approved antiviral drug daclatasvir dihydrochloride (DCV) which is used for the treatment of chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) genotype 3 infection. Effective chromatographic separation was achieved using Waters C8 column (4.6×250mm, 5µm particle size) with isocratic elution of the mobile phase composed of mixed phosphate buffer pH 2.5 and acetonitrile in the ratio of 75:25 (by volume). The mobile phase was pumped at a flow rate of 1.2mL/min, and quantification of DCV was based on measuring its peak areas at 306nm. DCV eluted at retention time 5.4min. Analytical performance of the proposed HPLC procedure was thoroughly validated with respect to system suitability, linearity, range, precision, accuracy, specificity, robustness, detection and quantification limits. The linearity range was 0.6-60µg/mL with correlation coefficient>0.99999. The drug was subjected to forced degradation conditions of neutral, acidic and alkaline hydrolysis, oxidation and thermal degradation. The proposed method proved to be stability-indicating by resolution of the drug from its forced-degradation products. The validated HPLC method was successfully applied to analysis of the cited drug in its tablets.

Validated spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods for simultaneous determination of ketorolac tromethamine and phenylephrine hydrochloride.

This work describes five simple and reliable spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods for analysis of the binary mixture of ketorolac tromethamine (KTR) and phenylephrine hydrochloride (PHE). Method I is based on the use of conventional Amax and derivative spectrophotometry with the zero-crossing technique where KTR was determined using its Amax and (1)D amplitudes at 323 and 341nm respectively, while PHE was determined by measuring the (1)D amplitudes at 248.5nm. Method II involves the application of the ratio spectra derivative spectrophotometry. For KTR, 12µg/mL PHE was used as a divisor and the (1)DD amplitudes at 265nm were plotted against KTR concentrations; while - by using 4µg/mL KTR as divisor - the (1)DD amplitudes at 243.5nm were found proportional to PHE concentrations. Method III depends on ratio-difference measurement where the peak to trough amplitudes between 260 and 284nm were measured and correlated to KTR concentration. Similarly, the peak to trough amplitudes between 235 and 260nm in the PHE ratio spectra were recorded. For method IV, the two compounds were separated using Merck HPTLC sheets of silica gel 60 F254 and a mobile phase composed of chloroform/methanol/ammonia (70:30:2, by volume) followed by densitometric measurement of KTR and PHE spots at 320 and 278nm respectively. Method V depends on HPLC-DAD. Effective chromatographic separation was achieved using Zorbax eclipse plus C8 column (4.6×250mm, 5µm) with a mobile phase consisting of 0.05M o-phosphoric acid and acetonitrile (50:50, by volume) at a flow rate 1mL/min and detection at 313 and 274nm for KTR and PHE respectively. Analytical performance of the developed methods was statistically validated according to the ICH guidelines with respect to linearity, ranges, precision, accuracy, detection and quantification limits. The validated spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods were successfully applied to the simultaneous analysis of KTR and PHE in synthetic mixtures of different proportions and laboratory-made ophthalmic solution.

Key role players in health care quality: who are they and what do they think? An experience from Saudi Arabia.

The aim of this study in Medina city in 2009 was to identify key role players who influence the healthcare system and to assess their views regarding the improvement of the quality of health care in Saudi Arabia. In a qualitative, cross-sectional study data were collected from focus group discussions and analysed using a content analysis approach. Key role players were chosen based on their previous experience in providing feedback in health care-related areas: representatives from organizations, interest groups, departments, the media, other governmental organizations and members of the public who actively worked with the Department of Health. The topics discussed were: health and community; health and media; planning for health; female staff views; role of the private health sector; and the role of other governmental agencies. The discussions highlighted the importance of improvement of health facility infrastructure, the implementation of staff training and education, the initiation of quality assurance and safety standards and the extension of the scope of primary care and community health educational programmes.

A rapid first-derivative spectrophotometric analysis of cephalexin and cephradine in human urine.

A rapid, simple, and accurate first-derivative spectrophotometric method has been established for the determination of either cephalexin or cephradine in urine. Quantitative analysis of each antibiotic was achieved by measuring the peak amplitude at 268 nm. The relative and absolute recoveries ranged from 98.90 to 104.00% for cephalexin and from 97.85 to 105.10% for cephradine. The within-day coefficient of variation varied from 3.27 to 6.45%. The applicability of the method for the determination of the cumulative amount of either cephalexin or cephradine excreted unchanged in urine, following an oral dose containing 500 mg of the drug to a human male volunteer, is demonstrated.

Oxidants for the colorimetric determination of pindolol.

A simple, sensitive and accurate colorimetric method is described for the quantitative determination of pindolol either in the pure form or in its tablets. The method is based on the oxidation of the indole moiety in pindolol with potassium persulphate or hydrogen peroxide-in acid medium-to give a highly coloured product that exhibits maximum absorption at 535 nm and 570 nm, respectively. Beer's law is obeyed over concentrations ranging from 0.07-0.35 mg/10 ml for potassium persulphate and 0.1-0.5 mg/10 ml for hydrogen peroxide with mean recoveries of 99.6+/-0.6 and 99.8+/-0.9%, respectively. The method is applied for the assay of pindolol tablets without any interference due to tablet fillers.

The use of 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone for the spectrophotometric determination of some cardiovascular drugs.

Some basic cardiovascular drugs containing secondary or tertiary amino groups are determined spectrophotometrically. The method is simple and sensitive; it is based on the interaction of the drugs, as n-electron donors, with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone (DDQ) as a pi-acceptor. The highly coloured radical anion exhibits maximum absorption at 460 nm. The drugs determined are pindolol, dipyridamole, hydralazine hydrochloride, quinidine sulphate, prenylamine lactate and tolazoline hydrochloride. Beer's law is obeyed for these drugs. The procedure is sensitive enough to permit unit dose assay of the individual drugs in their pharmaceutical formulations. The assay results are in accord with the pharmacopoeial assay results.

Use of p-chloranilic acid for the colorimetric determination of some antimalarials.

A simple and sensitive colorimetric method for the assay of quinine sulphate, primaquine diphosphate, amodiaquine hydrochloride and pyrimethamine is described. The method is based on the interaction of the drugs and p-chloranilic acid to give a stable product with an intense colour which can be used for the determination of these antimalarials in their pharmaceutical preparations.

Utility of 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone in assay of codeine, emetine and pilocarpine.

A simple and sensitive spectrophotometric method for the assay of codeine, emetine and pilocarpine is described, based on the interaction of these drugs (as n-electron donors) with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-p-benzoquinone (as pi -acceptor) to give a highly coloured radical anion which exhibits maximum absorption at 460 nm. Formation of the radical anion has been established by electron spin resonance measurements. Beer's law is obeyed for the alkaloids investigated. The assay results are in accord with pharmacopoeial assay results. The procedure is sufficiently sensitive to permit unit dose assay of the individual alkaloids in pharmaceutical formulations.

Colorimetric determination of two fenamates in capsule dosage form.

The colorimetric determination of mefenamic acid and flufenamic acid with potassium ferricyanide in sodium hydroxide medium is described. The orange product is measured at 464 nm. The molar absorptivities are 1.9 x 10(3) and 2.9 x 10(3) 1.mole(-1).cm(-1) for mefenamic acid and flufenamic acid, respectively. The method has been applied successfully to the determination of these drugs in capsules.

Quantitation of indomethacin, naproxen, and ibuprofen in pharmaceutical dosage forms by first and second derivative ultraviolet spectrometry.

First and second derivative ultraviolet spectrometric methods are described for the estimation of indomethacin, naproxen, and ibuprofen in pharmaceutical dosage forms. The proposed methods permit the rapid, precise, and accurate determination of indomethacin capsules BP, naproxen capsules, and ibuprofen tablets BP. Matrix interference is successfully corrected. The results obtained by first and second derivative techniques are in accord with those obtained by the official assay method.

Use of ammonium molybdate in the colorimetric assay of cephalosporins.

A colorimetric method for the determination of five cephalosporins (cefoxitin sodium, cefotaxime sodium, cephapirin sodium, cephalothin sodium and cephaloridine), based on the blue colour formed by reaction of the cephalosporins with ammonium molybdate, is described. The effects of reagent concentration and reaction conditions are discussed. The proposed method has been applied to the analysis of cephalosporin injections, the results of which are in good agreement with those obtained by the official method of the British Pharmacopoeia.

Titrimetric determination of some phenothiazine derivatives, with ferricyanide.

Six phenothiazine drugs (chlorpromazine hydrochloride, promethazine hydrochloride, promazine hydrochloride, perphenazine, acetophenazine maleate and trifluoperazine hydrochloride) have been determined by titration with potassium ferricyanide in phosphoric acid medium with Methylene Blue as a screening indicator. The results were in agreement with those obtained by the official methods.

Spectrophotometric determination of phenothiazines, tetracyclines and chloramphenicol with sodium cobaltinitrite.

A spectrophotometric method for determining some phenothiazines, some tetracyclines and chloramphenicol is described. Chlorpromazine hydrochloride, promazine hydrochloride, promethazine hydrochloride, perphenazine and fluphenazine hydrochloride are reacted with sodium cobaltinitrite in phosphoric acid. The red colour developed is measured at 530, 513, 515, 530 and 500 nm, respectively. Tetracycline hydrochloride, oxytetracycline hydrochloride, chlortetracycline hydrochloride, doxycycline hyclate and demeclocycline hydrochloride are reacted with the reagent in aqueous acetic acid. The yellow colour produced is measured at 256, 294, 262, 243 and 246 nm, respectively. Chloramphenicol is determined similarly to the tetracyclines after hydrolysis with 40% sodium hydroxide solution and the colour is measured at 240 nm. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the determination of these drugs in various pharmaceutical preparations.

Spectrophotometric determination of tetracyclines and cephalosporins with ammonium vanadate.

A spectrophotometric method for the determination of some tetracyclines as well as some cephalosporins is described. The drug is boiled with ammonium vanadate solution in sulphuric acid medium for 10 min and the absorbance of the colour developed is measured at 750 nm. The proposed method can be successfully applied to the determination of tetracycline hydrochloride, oxytetracycline hydrochloride, doxycycline hyclate, demeclocycline hydrochloride, chlortetracycline hydrochloride, cephalothin sodium, cephaloridine and cephapirin sodium. These drugs can be determined either in pure form or in pharmaceutical preparations.

The use of chloranil for spectrophotometric determination of some tranquillizers and antidepressants.

Chlorpromazine hydrochloride, promethazine hydrochloride, promazine hydrochloride, perphenazine, thioridazine hydrochloride, chlorprothexine, opipramol hydrochloride, amitriptyline hydrochloride, imipramine hydrochloride and hydroxyzine hydrochloride are estimated in their pure state and in pharmaceutical formulations by means of the reaction of the free bases with chloranil in dioxan-ethanol medium to give a coloured product with maximal absorbance at 550 nm. The method is precise, accurate and specific and recommended for routine analysis for the drugs mentioned.

Spectrophotometric determination of some phenothiazine derivatives and opipramol with chloramine-T.

This paper describes a spectrophotometric method for the assay of phenothiazines (and also opipramol, which is similar but contains a CC linkage instead of the S atom of the phenothiazines) as the pure drug or in tablets or solutions for injection. The colour is produced by heating a solution of the drug or drug preparation with a solution of chloramine-T. The coloured product can be extracted into chloroform before the colour measurement or the whole process carried out in ethanol solution, the colour of which is then measured.