Development and in-vitro evaluation of a colon-specific controlled release drug delivery system.

The major challenges in targeting drug to various parts of the gastrointestinal tract include control of drug release with respect to its environment and transit time. These two variables should be taken into consideration in designing a rational colonic drug delivery system. To this end, a swelling matrix core containing pectin, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), microcrystalline cellulose and 5-aminosalicylic acid was developed. This was subjected to a dual coating operation: an inner pH-sensitive enteric and an outer semi-permeable membrane coat with a pore former. In-vitro dissolution studies were carried out in USP apparatus-I using sequential pH media. The first 2 h of dissolution studies were done in HCl buffer at pH 1.5, the next 2 h in pH 5.5 and, finally, in phosphate buffer at pH 6.8 with and without pectinolytic enzyme present. Less than 2% drug was released in the first 6 h and about 90% released in the following 12 h in a controlled manner. The stability studies of the coated systems were performed for 90 days under various conditions and it was found that drug release was not adversely affected. Results indicate that this delivery system has potential for site-specific delivery of drugs to the colon irrespective of transit time and rapid changes in the proximal pH of the gastrointestinal tract.

Self-medication with antibiotics in Serbian households: a case for action?

Background Irregular antibiotic use, including self-medication contributes to the development of antibiotic resistance. One method of accessing antibiotic use in the community is through obtaining an in house inventory of drugs. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of storage and self-medication with antibiotics agents in households in Novi Sad, Serbia. Setting Households in Novi Sad. Method The study was performed during a 4-month period (October 2015-January 2016) using a sample of 112 households in Novi Sad, Serbia. Two trained interviewers performed the survey by visiting each household. The study consisted of making an inventory of all drugs in household and a semi-structured interview about drug use practices and perceptions. Main outcome measure Number of antibiotics obtained without prescription. Results Out of 112 surveyed households, antibiotics were encountered in 55 (49.1%). Antibiotics constituted 11.98% (92/768) of total number of drug items in households. Out of all antibiotics in households, 41 (44.57%) were not in current use, and presented left-overs from previous treatment. Antibiotics were usually acquired with prescription (67, 67.7%), while about a quarter of packages were used for self-medication-purchased at pharmacy without prescription (19, 20.65%) or obtained through friends or family member (6, 6.52%).The most commonly used antibiotics for self-medication was amoxicillin (reported indications included common cold, cough, pharyngitis and tooth-ache). Conclusion Antibiotics were present in large share of households in Novi Sad. Self-medication with antibiotics and sale of antibiotics without prescription represent an important problem in Serbia.

Stability of infliximab in polyvinyl chloride bags.

PURPOSE: The stability of prepared infusions of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α agent infliximab after storage for up to two weeks was investigated. METHODS: To determine the feasibility of liberalized expiration dating of infliximab (current recommendations call for the infusion of prepared doses within three hours), the stability of diluted infliximab stored in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bags at 4 °C for up to 14 days was evaluated. A known quantity of TNF-α was combined with infliximab test samples in PVC bags for one hour; immediately after the reaction period and after 7 and 14 days of storage, the residual amount of TNF-α (an indirect measure of the drug's biological activity) was analyzed via a validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The mean ± S.D. amount of TNF-α consumed by infliximab was calculated to be 24.5 ± 5.6 pg/mL at baseline, 29.0 ± 4.4 pg/mL at 7 days, and 24.8 ± 17.3 pg/mL at 14 days. At all evaluated time points, ELISA results indicated that 19-24% of the original TNF-α had been consumed by infliximab (mean ± S.D. consumption: 19.6% ± 4.5% at baseline, 23.2% ± 3.5% at 7 days, and 19.8% ± 13.8% at 14 days). CONCLUSION: Infliximab, when prepared at a concentration of 400 µg/mL in 0.9% sodium chloride injection, incurred no loss of biological activity when stored for up to 14 days at 4 °C in PVC bags. Changing infliximab preparation practices may improve clinic efficiency by reducing patient dissatisfaction with long wait times for infusions and avoiding costly waste.

A armazenagem de medicamentos em casa: perfil da população restrita ao domicílio adscrita ao Centro de Saúde Jaqueline I, Brasil / The storage of medicines at home: the profile of the restricted population in the coverage area of the Jaqueline I Health Center, Brazi

Esse estudo investigou o estoque caseiro de medicamentos de todos os indivíduos restritos ao domicílio da área de abrangência de um Centro de Saúde em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. As variáveis sociodemográficas e econômicas dos indivíduos restritos; o tipo de medicamento, sua validade e o local de armazenamento e suas patologias foram coletados por meio de um questionário. Análise descritiva foi realizada. Foram visitados 43 pacientes em 42 casas, com predominância de mulheres (67,44%), idosos (72,10%) com baixa renda familiar (66,67% recebiam de 1 a 3 salários mínimos). Os medicamentos mais encontrados foram para os sistemascardiovascular, nervoso e para o metabolismo e trato alimentar. Apenas um (2,4%) único lar não apresentava medicamento estocado. Do total de 14.385 doses/unidades encontradas, 12.350 (85,86%) eram de uso contínuo e 2.966 (20,62%) foram consideradas como inservíveis (validade vencida, sem data de validade ou sem identificação). O elevado estoquede medicamentos encontrados coadunacom as patologias crônico-degenerativas apresentadas. Uma estratégia de controle deste volume de medicamentos pode trazer benefícios para as famílias desses indivíduos, uma economia para o serviço e um controle do descarte de medicamentos inservíveis

This study investigated the homemade stock of medicines of all homebound persons of a health center in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The socio-demographic and economic variables of patients; the type of drug, its validity and the storage location were collected through a questionnaire. Descriptive analysis was performed. 43 patients were visited in 42 houses, with a predominance of women (67.44%), elderly (72.10%) with low family income (66.67% earned 1-3 minimum wages). The most commonly found medications were for the nervous and cardiovascular systems, metabolism and alimentary tract. Only one home (2.4%) did not have stocked medicine. Of the total of 14,385 doses / units found, 12 350 (85.86%) were of continuous use and 2,966 (20.62%) were considered unusable (expired, without expiry date or without label). The stock of medicines found was consistent with the chronic degenerative pathologies presented. A strategy to control this volume of drugs can bring benefit to the patient, an economy for the service and control the disposal of waste medicines