scholarly journals An Investigation into the Quality of Medicines in Yangon, Myanmar

Pharmacy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Islam ◽  
Naoko Yoshida ◽  
Kazuko Kimura ◽  
Chisana Uwatoko ◽  
Mohammad Rahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Poor Quality ◽  
Cefuroxime Axetil ◽  
Quality Analysis ◽  
Content Uniformity ◽  
Counterfeit Medicines ◽  
Ceftriaxone Sodium ◽  
Substandard Medicines ◽  
Dissolution Tests ◽  
Microbial Assay

Many poor-quality medicines are supplied to patients mainly in developing countries. No systematic survey on counterfeit medicines has been conducted in Myanmar since 1999. The purpose of this study was to investigate the current situation of substandard or counterfeit medicines in Myanmar. Samples of oral medicines, cefuroxime axetil (CXM), donepezil hydrochloride (DN) and omeprazole (OM), and injections, ceftriaxone sodium (CTRX), and gentamicin sulfate (GM), were collected from pharmacies, hospitals, and wholesalers in Yangon, Myanmar in 2014. Authenticity and quality were verified. There were 221 (94%) foreign medicines among 235 collected samples. Five samples of GM and 1 DN sample were not registered with the Food and Drug Administration, Myanmar. In quality analysis, 36 samples out of 177 (20.3%) did not pass quantity tests, 27 samples out of 176 (15.3%) did not pass content uniformity tests, and 23 out of 128 samples (18.0%) did not pass dissolution tests. Three of the unregistered GM samples failed in both identification and microbial assay tests. Counterfeit GM is being sold in Yangon. Also, the quality of OM is a matter of concern. Poor-quality medicines were frequently found among the products of a few manufacturers. Regular surveys to monitor counterfeit and substandard medicines in Myanmar are recommended.

scholarly journals Comparative Quality Evaluation of Selected Brands of Cefuroxime Axetil Tablets Marketed in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Christina Osei-Asare ◽  
Esther Eshun Oppong ◽  
Frederick William Akuffo Owusu ◽  
John Antwi Apenteng ◽  
Yvonne Ochesinda Alatu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Evaluation ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Cefuroxime Axetil ◽  
Disintegration Time ◽  
Substandard Medicines ◽  
Antibiotic Drug ◽  
Model Independent ◽  
Greater Accra Region ◽  
Global Health Challenge

The ever-growing commercialization of poor-quality and substandard medicines, especially anti-infectives characterized by inadequate postmarket surveillance by stakeholders remains a major global health challenge, particularly in developing countries, where antibiotic drug resistance and its repercussions on human health remain dominant. This research sought to evaluate the pharmaceutical quality of six randomly selected brands of cefuroxime axetil tablets (250 mg) marketed in the Greater Accra region of Ghana. The selected brands were coded and subjected to both compendial and noncompendial tests. Statistical analysis and model-independent parameter (similarity factor, f2) were employed in analyzing the dissolution profiles of all the brands. All brands including the reference brand conformed to the pharmacopeial specifications for both compendial and noncompendial tests, indicating that they were of good quality. However, there were significant variations ( p < 0.05 ) in the disintegration time amongst the various brands. All the brands had ƒ2 values > 50 indicating similarity of their drug release profiles with the innovator. Hence, all the sampled cefuroxime axetil brands can be considered as pharmaceutical equivalents to the innovator drug. These brands can, therefore, be used as a substitute for the innovator drug by physicians to patients in cases of unaffordability or unavailability of the innovator brand.

The Quality Analysis of Hallux Valgus Videos on YouTube

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enes Sari ◽  
Levent FAZLI Umur
Keyword(s):  
Hallux Valgus ◽  
Information Quality ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Quality Analysis ◽  
Accurate Information ◽  
Youtube Videos ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference

BACKGROUND:The aim of this study was to evaluate the information quality of YouTube videos on hallux valgus. METHODS:A YouTube search was performed using the keyword 'hallux valgus' to determine the first 300 videos related to hallux valgus. A total of 54 videos met our inclusion criteria and evaluated for information quality by using DISCERN, Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and hallux valgus information assessment (HAVIA) scores. Number of views, time since the upload date, view rate, number of comments, number of likes, number of dislikes, video power index (VPI) values were calculated to determine video popularity. Video length (sec), video source and video content were also noted. The relation between information quality and these factors were statistically evaluated. RESULTS:The mean DISCERN score was 30.35{plus minus}11.56 (poor quality) (14-64), the mean JAMA score was 2.28{plus minus}0.96 (1-4), and the mean HAVIA score was 3.63{plus minus}2.42 (moderate quality) (0.5-8.5). Although videos uploaded by physicians had higher mean DISCERN, JAMA, and HAVIA scores than videos uploaded by non-physicians, the difference was not statistically significant. Additionally, view rates and VPI values were higher for videos uploaded by health channels, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between video length and DISCERN (r= 0.294, p= 0.028), and HAVIA scores (r= 0.326, p= 0.015). CONCLUSIONS:This present study demonstrated that the quality of information available on YouTube videos about hallux valgus was low and insufficient. Videos containing accurate information from reliable sources are needed to educate patients on hallux valgus, especially in less frequently mentioned topics such as postoperative complications and healing period.

scholarly journals Analysis of voltage and current magnification in resonant circuits on hyperspectral signal processing

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 635-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arumuga Maria Devi Thanu ◽  
Muthukumar Devadoss ◽  
Kumar Parasuraman
Keyword(s):  
Signal Processing ◽  
Power Quality ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Quality Analysis ◽  
Nonlinear Loads ◽  
Magnetic Attraction ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Rlc Circuits

In the recent years, electrical, electronics, and telecommunications have far-famed a rare improvement, the quantity of nonlinear loads has inflated. Many electric power consumption devices are sensitive to magnetic attraction disturbances, created through nearby devices, which might have an effect on the power quality for several industry units or may be domestic users. Poor quality of power leads to fault of devices and instrumentation instability in a short period. Systematically, some research and analysis are required to monitor the disturbances of power quality which increases quality of power. This paper consists of power quality analysis on RLC circuits with voltage and current magnification values through Hyperspectral signal processing. The voltage changes and harmonic disturbances can be simulated finely with the MATLAB–Simulink simulation results and the theoretical analysis display. The simulated outcome and the Hyperspectral processing offer data and identification of power quality variances and additional control measures accurately.

Insufficient quality of public automated external defibrillator recordings in the greater Paris area, a descriptive study

2020 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. 623-628
Author(s):  
Clément Derkenne ◽  
Daniel Jost ◽  
Pierre Alexandre Haruel ◽  
Romain Kedzierewicz ◽  
Benoit Frattini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Quality Analysis ◽  
Automated External Defibrillator ◽  
Transmission Modes ◽  
Paris Area ◽  
Impedance Curve ◽  
External Defibrillator

BackgroundWestern countries report a significant increase in the proportion of patients who experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs) and benefit from a public automated external defibrillator (pAED) before the arrival of rescue teams. However, recordings of devices recovered after resuscitation are of variable quality. Analysis of these data may inform decisions of whether to implement an internal defibrillator for survivors, and provide useful information about the performance of pAED algorithms and the actions of bystanders.ObjectiveTo investigate the quality of the information recorded by pAEDs during OHCAs in the Paris area.MethodspAED files used for some of the 8629 OHCAs that occurred in the greater Paris area between 1 January 2017 and 31 April 2019 on the day of the arrest were collected. The presence and accuracy of 23 factors required to interpret the recording was noted, including readability of the ECG, the presence of an impedance curve and the accuracy of the date and time. The recordings were analysed to assess the diagnostic and therapeutic performance of the pAEDs used.ResultsA total of 258 patients with an OHCA received assistance from a pAED, and 182 recordings were recovered. The pAEDs were made by 12 different manufacturers. Data extraction required eight different transmission modes and 16 software programmes; recordings were of highly heterogeneous quality. Two per cent of the recordings were of such poor quality that they were not interpretable. Among the 98% remaining, only 43% included a thoracic impedance curve, 34% the intensity of the shocks delivered and 8% the patient name. The date and time were accurate in 68% and 48% of recordings, respectively. The pAEDs had 87.6% (95% CI 83.7% to 91.0%) sensitivity and 99.5% (99.5% to 99.5%) specificity for defibrillating shockable rhythms (positive predictive value 98.2% (96.4% to 99.0%), negative predictive value 96.4% (95.3% to 96.8%)). The absence of important variables prevented the analysis of approximately half of the inappropriate decisions made by pAEDs.ConclusionCollection of pAED recordings is a major challenge. Their analysis is compromised by heterogeneity and poor quality (incomplete maintenance records, patient details and logs). AED recordings are currently the most relevant resource to track pAED performance and bystander practices. The quality of these recordings needs to improve.

scholarly journals Comparative In-Vitro Physicochemical Evaluation and Dissolution Profiling of Glibenclamide 5mg tablet Marketed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Selass Kebede ◽  
Habtamu Abuye ◽  
Woldemichael Abraham ◽  
Sultan Suleman ◽  
Sileshi Belew
Keyword(s):  
Addis Ababa ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Content Uniformity ◽  
Dissolution Profile ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Physicochemical Evaluation ◽  
Model Independent ◽  
National Systems

AbstractThe safety of medicines is an essential part of patient safety. Global drug safety depends on strong national systems that monitor the development and quality of medicines. Poor quality medicines do not meet official standards for strength, quality, purity, packaging and labelling. Hence, this study determines in-vitro quality attributes of glibenclamide 5mg tablet marketed in Addis Ababa according to USP-38 drug monograph specifications. All tested brands meet the requirements for physical inspection & complied specification for friability and hardness. Besides, the tested brands met USP 38 specification for assay (99.96% to 108.85%) and for content uniformity (AV values ranges from 3.35 to 10.04). In-vitro release tests were carried out in phosphate buffer of 7.5 and 8.5 pH and showed drug release of ≥ 75%, met USP 38 requirements. However, significant difference with respect to dissolution profile among tested brands GL4 and GL6 were confirmed with comparator product through model independent approach. Moreover, DE values were studied and confirmed that GL4 and GL6 were not therapeutically interchangeable with innovator product.

scholarly journals Patient safety and public health concerns: poor dissolution rate of pioglitazone tablets obtained from China, Myanmar and internet sites

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Sofiqur Rahman ◽  
Naoko Yoshida ◽  
Hirohito Tsuboi ◽  
Erina Maeda ◽  
Andrea Vanessa Velasco Ibarra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Visual Inspection ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Content Uniformity ◽  
Dissolution Test ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Satisfactory Outcome

Abstract Background Poor quality medicines have serious implications for public health. The aim of this study was to explore the quality of the antidiabetic pioglitazone, using samples collected in China and Myanmar, and samples purchased online. Methods In this cross-sectional study, we examined samples (n = 163) collected from hospitals in Shanghai, China in 2012 (n = 44), products purchased via the internet and imported into Japan in 2013 (n = 59), and samples purchased in shops in Yangon, Myanmar in 2015 (n = 60). Collected samples were subjected to visual inspection, authenticity investigation and quality testing (potency, content uniformity and dissolution test) by high-performance liquid chromatography. Samples were rated as compliant or non-compliant based on the relevant pharmacopoeial acceptance criteria. Results Visual inspection of all samples revealed compliant products. However, responses from manufacturers during authenticity investigation were poor. Among the n = 44 samples from China, one was non-compliant in the potency test. Among the n = 59 samples personally imported into Japan, 38% of generic samples were found to be non-compliant. In Myanmar, 13.3% of samples were non-compliant. Non-compliant samples predominantly failed in the dissolution test. All non-compliant samples were generic. Conclusions Despite the apparent satisfactory outcome on the samples from China, pioglitazone samples collected in Myanmar and purchased online for personal import into Japan included many substandard products, which failed quality assessment predominantly because of poor dissolution. Internet providers did not comply with Japanese regulations in various respects.

scholarly journals Quality and Authenticity of Metformin Tablets Circulating on Japanese Websites

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu Zhu ◽  
Naoko Yoshida ◽  
Hirohito Tsuboi ◽  
Ryo Matsushita ◽  
Kazuko Kimura
Keyword(s):  
Extended Release ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Content Uniformity ◽  
Substandard Medicines ◽  
Dissolution Tests ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Sustained Release Tablets ◽  
Quality Testing ◽  
Falsified Medicines ◽  
States Pharmacopeia

Abstract Background Low-quality medicines and falsified medicines represent long-standing problems in developing countries. In Southeast Asia, the circulation of low-quality diabetes drugs (metformin) has been confirmed. It is possible that low-quality metformin has entered Japan via personal import through the Internet. This study evaluated the pharmaceutical quality and authenticity of metformin tablets obtained via the Internet in Japan. Methods In total, 33 samples of 500-mg metformin tablets and 7 samples of extended-release/sustained-release tablets (500, 750, and 1,000 mg) were purchased via personal import in January 2017. Confirmation of a prescription was never requested purchase. The obtained samples were subjected to visual observations and authenticity investigations. Additionally, quantitative analysis, content uniformity and dissolution tests were performed using HPLC–PDA. Results Our authenticity investigations revealed that seven samples were genuine products, whereas the authenticity of the remaining 33 samples was unclear. Referring to United States Pharmacopeia 2014 for validation, four samples failed quality testing, five samples failed content uniformity testing, and two samples failed dissolution testing. Conclusions Our findings illustrate that metformin tablets of poor-quantity and unregistered/unlicensed doses are available online and that it is important to increase consumer awareness about the presence of these medicines on the Internet to prevent the purchase of substandard medicines.

scholarly journals Counterfeit/Fake and Substandard Medicines – A Global Bioethical Issue Requiring A Global Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Evangel Sarwar
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Drug Problem ◽  
Counterfeit Drugs ◽  
Counterfeit Medicines ◽  
Substandard Medicines ◽  
Counterfeit Medicine ◽  
The U.S

Counterfeit drugs are a global problem and a public health hazard. Nearly 10 percent of all medicines sold worldwide are fake, leading to an estimated 100,000 deaths each year, equating to an additional economic burden of close to $200 billion annually. Counterfeit medicines also thwart public health efforts to control infectious diseases like Covid-19 and Tuberculosis and lead to the worsening of other public health crises such as anti-microbial resistance (AMR). According to the CDC, more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections in the U.S each year, with more than 35,000 people dying, have been reported. Globalization and the internet's expansion have led to the rapid spreading of poor-quality medicines due to the high demand for cheap goods and lack of access - before adequate detection and intervention are possible. Moreover, selling counterfeit medicine is more profitable with lesser penalties, even in the U.S. As a clandestine market, there is no precise magnitude of how the counterfeit-medicine market flows. The WHO is alarmed by the lack of available data to demonstrate the extent and impact of fake/substandard medicines. Controlling counterfeit drugs' availability will not be easy; however, it has become necessary to protect public and global health. Through the lens of a case in Bangladesh that demonstrates how easy it is to sell and get away with selling fake medicines in developing countries - this paper discusses how counterfeit medicines negatively contribute significantly to human lives and sufferings in developing and developed countries. No single policy will be effective based on the different issues faced on multiple fronts due to fake/substandard medicines. However, a broad-based concerted effort across the various stakeholders to combat this counterfeit drug problem and secure the global supply chain is urgently needed.

scholarly journals Microbiological quality analysis of different types of popular dried food items

Food Research ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Ahmed ◽  
A. Sharmin ◽  
M.R. Dipu ◽  
T. Islam
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Quality Analysis ◽  
Salmonella Spp ◽  
Food Items ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Dried Foods

The study was carried out to investigate the microbiological quality of dried foods which are very popular among kids. Moreover, people from all age groups like it, although adults do not take it on a regular basis, the total consumed amount among the adults are not negligible. Chips, biscuits, muesli, salted peanuts all are dried foods, and all of these can undergo microbial contamination due to the remaining water activity, environmental condition, production processing faults, humidity, temperature etc. In the current study, twenty-four samples were analyzed for microbial quality analysis. Six samples from each category of dried food were subjected to study for the presence of mesophilic organisms, coliforms, molds and other specific food pathogens. Of the samples studied, almost all were found to be contaminated with the mesophilic bacteria (104 -107CFU/g) and fungus (105 -107CFU/g). Survival of Vibrio spp. was absent and Salmonella spp. was found in only one sample. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Shigella spp. were found in many of the samples indicating the poor quality of the dried food items. Overall, the present study revealed that potato chips were highly contaminated by bacteria and fungi. Consuming such contaminated chips may cause foodborne illness that is a great threat to our health.

scholarly journals East Canal Flood as PDAM water resource DKI Jakarta

2018 ◽  
Vol 74 ◽  
pp. 09001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wednes Suci Pradafitri ◽  
Setyo Sarwanto Moersidik ◽  
Chairil Abdini
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Quality Analysis ◽  
Raw Water ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Pre Treatment

Environmental pollution, resource degradation, and global warming are some examples of environmental problems that have occurred in various countries, including Indonesia. Poor quality, quantity, and continuity of raw water condition make water supply scarce. These problems can be overcome by an intervention to the demand and supply. One of the cities experience this condition is the province of DKI Jakarta. East Flood Canal (BKT) is one of the infrastructure facilities of DKI Jakarta province as a potential source of raw water supply. The study aims to analyze the factors affecting BKT water and the sustainability of BKT water in DKI Jakarta as the raw" water source of PDAM in terms of quality. Analysis of land use and social factors using GIS (Geographic Information System) and questionnaire methods. Analysis of the quality of BKT water using laboratory tests and literature studies. The results of this research are socio-economic activity and land use changes affect the water quality of BKT. The East Canal Flood can become the raw water source of PDAM DKI Jakarta through pre-treatment. This research is very important because it provides a new innovation in overcoming the problem of availability of raw water which is increasingly limited especially in DKI Jakarta.

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