Development and validation of an HPLC-UV method for analysis of methylphenidate hydrochloride and loxapine succinate in an activated carbon disposal system

Evaluating the feasibility of implementing a prescription drug misuse prevention intervention in the community: a mixed methods study

BACKGROUND

This study is part of a state-wide effort to promote the safe disposal of prescription medications and mitigate prescription drug misuse. The objective of this study was to evaluate the implementation of a two-component prevention intervention through Community Prevention Organizations (CPOs) in Texas. The first component involved the distribution of in-home disposal products (IHDP) and the second focused on providing education of the risks of prescription drug misuse.

METHODS

This study followed a mixed methods sequential explanatory study design. In the quantitative phase, the extent to which CPOs carried out the intervention was determined by the distribution rate - a proportion representing the number of IHDP distributed to end users from the amount of IHDP the CPO was shipped. This measure was used to organize the CPOs in to one of three performance categories. In the qualitative arm of the study, stratified random sampling was used to select five CPOs from each performance strata to participate in an in-depth, semi-structured interview about their distribution activity. The interview guide and the data analysis were guided by Bowen's Feasibility Framework. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using a content analysis approach by two research team members. All qualitative analyses were conducted in ATLAS.ti© V7.

RESULTS

There was a total of 47 CPOs contacted and asked to be part of this study. Of them, 44 CPOs participated in the quantitative phase of the study. This phase revealed that all CPOs had existing relationships with organizations throughout the community such as pharmacies and schools that could act as points of distribution. Following the quantitative phase, 15 CPOs were selected for more in-depth interviews about their distribution practices. In the qualitative phase, this finding was reinforced through the theme "partnerships with local institutions and ability to implement the intervention at community events". Similarly, education promotion efforts were unanimously emphasized as a strategy to increase utilization of IHDP among end users. All CPOs indicated that the intervention was supplemental to their overall goals.

CONCLUSION

CPOs have unparalleled access to community events, local institutions, and the general population they serve, thus, they have the potential to be active facilitators in implementing prevention interventions.

OUP accepted manuscript

A simple, robust stability indicating RP-HPLC method was developed for simultaneous quantification of serdexmethyl phenidate and dexmethyl phenidate in a fixed capsule dosage form. This is the first method to be reported for simultaneous estimation and quantification of degradation products produced from forced stressing of the dosage form as per ICH guidelines. The chromatographic separation was attained on Waters X-terra C18 column using a mixture of trifluoro acetic acid and acetonitrile (70:30 v/v) as mobile phase with a flow rate of 1 mL, monitored at 265 nm over a run time of 10 min. Serdexmethyl phenidate and dexmethyl phenidate were eluted with retention times of 2.71 min and 7.33 min, respectively. The method displayed linear responses in the range of 4.2-63 μg/mL (0.9994) for serdexmethyl phenidate and 0.9 to 3.5 μg/mL (0.9998) for dexmethyl phenidate, respectively. The percentage recoveries of the two drugs were found within the acceptable limits. Forced degradation was conducted and showed considerable degradation in various stress conditions. It also confirms the specificity of the method as no interference peaks were observed concerning for to stress products. This method can be routinely used in quality control labs for simultaneous determination of respective drugs in marketed dosage form.

Development and validation of a LC-PDA method for methylphenidate analysis in sewage

Methylphenidate (MPH) is an important emerging pollutant found in effluents and wastewater. Thus, we aimed to develop and validate a method for detection and quantitation of MPH residues in sewage through high performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detector (LC-PDA). Here we describe a selective, accurate, precise, and valid method for determination of MPH in sewage with a total running time of 10 min, with limits of detection and quantification of 0.27 and 0.92 µg/mL, respectively. MPH retention peak was observed at 5 min. The method was applied to MPH analysis in a sewage sample pretreated with solid phase extraction, obtaining a result of 2.8 µg/L of MPH. Thus, the developed method can be considered feasible to be applied to MPH residual contamination analysis in sewage using a widely available apparatus.

Do nursing and pharmacy students practice what they preach on safe drug storage and disposal? A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Research has confirmed a lack of knowledge regarding the risks of unused medications including diversion, misuse, or accidental overdose among health care professionals (Abdulmajeed, 2020). Nurses and pharmacists are often who patients interact with the most regarding medications; therefore, early education on proper storage and disposal is vital (Bowen, Rotz, Patterson, & Sen, 2017; Celio, Ninane, Bugnon, & Schneider, 2018).

OBJECTIVES

The study's objective is to explore safe drug storage and disposal knowledge, attitudes, and practices of professional pharmacy (Pharm.D.) and nursing students.

DESIGN

This research is an exploratory cross-sectional study from May to September 2019.

METHODS

An anonymous online survey was administered to a purposive sample of Pharm.D. and nursing students who were 18 years and older and enrolled in the site's accredited Pharm.D. and nursing programs (N = 210). Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

Common disposal methods reported by students of their personal medications such as pills and liquids included discarding medications with the household trash (range 30% to 55%) and medication disposal products/bag (range 19% to 28%). More than half of the participants (50.4%) had unused prescription medication at home, 35% kept the medication for later use, and almost 20% of the participants reported sharing personal medications with others.

CONCLUSION

Although the majority of student participants had adequate knowledge of the appropriate methods for safe drug disposal, few reported using them for their own personal medications. The findings suggest there is a disconnect between the participants' knowledge of the appropriate methods of safe drug storage and disposal in a professional setting and their own practices. Further research is needed to explore and address the reasons for this disconnect. Additionally, findings from this research will assist in the development of and/or the improvement of interdisciplinary educational materials among pharmacy and nursing students.