Evaluation of the quality of injectable ampicillin in the formal and informal circuit in the city of Yaoundé

Abstract

Introduction: The poor quality of medicines represents a threat to public health. However, the causes come from a variety of factors such as the use of an active ingredient of insufficient quality, inadequate manufacturing processes, or even unsuitable packaging, insufficient quality control measures. Thus, this study aims to assess the quality of injectable ampicillin in the formal and informal circuit in the city of Yaoundé. Methodology: Thirty (30) batches of injectable ampicillin collected in the city of Yaoundé were the subject of an experimental study. The European and American Pharmacopoeia (USP) standards were used to assess pharmaco-technical and physicochemical compliance. Results: According to the parameters including respect for the mass, the pH, the labeling and the dosage of the active ingredient were found non-compliant on 02 batches (7%), 01 batch (3%), 25 batches (83% ) and 01 lot (3%). However, of the 30 batches analyzed, 53% were non-compliant, including 13%, 3%, and 37% respectively from the private, public and informal sectors. Conclusion: More than half of the batches of ampicillin injection analyzed in this study had corrupted qualities. Strict measures are necessary on the quality of badly needed drugs such as ampicillin from the first people in charge of drug control in the city of Yaoundé in order to improve the quality of treatment for pathologies.