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Tegegne AA, Feissa AB, Godena GH, Tefera Y, Hassen HK, Ozalp Y, Suleman S. Substandard and falsified antimicrobials in selected east African countries: A systematic review. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0295956. [PMID: 38277385 PMCID: PMC10817106 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, millions of people have been affected by fraudulent pharmaceutical products, particularly those in developing countries. Although the problem of falsified and substandard drugs is acknowledged, the extent of the issue is ever-changing, has a dynamic nature, and should be quantified and captured in a recent snapshot. OBJECTIVE This systematic review seeks to examine the data that can quantify and provide a current snapshot of the prevalence of SF antimicrobials in selected east Africa countries. METHODS Scientific studies on antimicrobial quality were searched in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar from 2017 to February 2023. The search strategy focused on scientific articles published in peer-reviewed scientific journals written in English and the studies exclusively done in any of the selected countries of east Africa. The articles were carefully reviewed by two individuals for inclusion independently, first by title followed by abstract and the full-text retrieval. To minimize bias associated with the methodology used for data collection, the quality of the studies was assessed for quality according to the Medicine Quality Assessment Reporting Guidelines (MEDQUARG). The reporting of this systematic review was done following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). RESULTS Fifteen studies that estimated the prevalence of poor-quality antimicrobial medicines in selected four east African countries were included. The overall percentage of samples of antimicrobials that failed at least one quality test was 22.6% (151/669) with each class's prevalence of 17% in antibiotics (73/432), 24% in antimalarial (41/171), and 56% in anthelmintics (37/66). Quality control parameters of API content were the most commonly examined in the included studies, accounting for 14/15 (93%) studies. Fifty (33.1%) of the failing samples failed assay API- content determination, while 26.5% (n = 40) failed the visual inspection and packaging analysis; 19.2% (29) failed dissolution; 14% (n = 21) flawed hardness or friability; 4%(n = 6) failed uniformity, as well as 3.2% (n = 5) failed disintegration test of the quality control parameter. CONCLUSION It was found that this review was general in these selected east African countries and was a catalyst for combating the menace of poor-quality medications that affect millions of lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Addisu Afrassa Tegegne
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Anbessa Bekele Feissa
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Institute of Health Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Gemmechu Hasen Godena
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Institute of Health Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Yesuneh Tefera
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia
| | - Hassen Kebede Hassen
- Ethiopian Agricultural Authority, Veterinary Drug Quality Control and Inspection Directorate, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Near East University, Turkey
| | - Yildiz Ozalp
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Near East University, Turkey
| | - Sultan Suleman
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Institute of Health Sciences, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
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Girma M, Umeta B, Hasen G, Suleman S. Quality of Antimalarial Drugs in East Africa: A Systematic Review. Infect Drug Resist 2022; 15:6085-6092. [PMID: 36277242 PMCID: PMC9585264 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s373059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The use of poor quality drugs will have multiple consequences with an extended hazard of growing drug-resistant strains. Purpose The review aimed to provide the quality status of antimalarial drugs in East Africa. Data Source PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched from September 5 to September 12, 2021. Study Selection The review included articles available as original research targeted at evaluating the quality of antimalarial drugs. For inclusion, data on at least one of the following quality control parameters were required: packaging and labeling, hardness, friability, weight variation/uniformity of weight, disintegration, dissolution, and assay/percentage purity. Mendeley citation manager version 1.19.4 was used to avoid duplication and organize references, and titles and abstracts were primarily used for screening. Data Extraction The sample collection site, drug name, and the quality control parameters tested were retrieved from the selected studies. Data synthesis Totally, 300 antimalarial drug samples from Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania were included in this review. No antimalarial drug tested failed the identification and disintegration test. However, 15.93% (36/226), 5.00% (15/300), and 1.90% (3/158) of antimalarial samples failed the dissolution, assay and mass uniformity test, respectively. Moreover, amodiaquine and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine samples failed dissolution and assay tests. In addition, amodiaquine samples failed the mass uniformity test. However, artemether/lumefantrine and quinine passed all quality control parameters tested. Overall, 19.67% (59/300) of antimalarial drug samples did not meet at least one quality control parameter. And the higher faller rate was reported for sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine accounting for 52.86% (37/70). Conclusions An unneglected amount of antimalarial drug failed to meet at least one quality control parameter. Strengthening pharmaceutical management systems, including post-marketing surveillance, and providing the resources required for medication quality assurance, are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Million Girma
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia
| | - Belachew Umeta
- School of Pharmacy, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia,Correspondence: Belachew Umeta, School of Pharmacy, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Po. Box: 378, Jimma, Oromia, Ethiopia, Email
| | - Gemmechu Hasen
- School of Pharmacy, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Sultan Suleman
- School of Pharmacy, Institute of Health, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia,Jimma University Laboratory of Drug Quality (JuLaDQ), Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
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Tabernero P, Swamidoss I, Mayxay M, Khanthavong M, Phonlavong C, Vilayhong C, Sichanh C, Sengaloundeth S, Green MD, Newton PN. A random survey of the prevalence of falsified and substandard antibiotics in the Lao PDR. J Antimicrob Chemother 2022; 77:1770-1778. [PMID: 35137095 PMCID: PMC7614350 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkab435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In 2012, a stratified random survey, using mystery shoppers, was conducted to investigate the availability and quality of antibiotics sold to patients in the private sector in five southern provinces of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos). METHODS A total of 147 outlets were sampled in 10 districts. The active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) content measurements for 909 samples, including nine APIs (amoxicillin, ampicillin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, doxycycline, ofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline and trimethoprim), were determined using HPLC. RESULTS All the analysed samples contained the stated API and we found no evidence for falsification. All except one sample had all the units tested with %API values between 75% and 125% of the content stated on the label. However, we identified the presence of substandard antibiotics: 19.6% (201/1025) of samples had their units outside the 90%-110% content of the label claim and 18.3% (188/1025) of the samples had units outside the International Pharmacopoeia/United States Pharmacopoeia assay (percentage of label claim) specifications. Trimethoprim had a high number of samples [51.6% (64)] with units below the limit range, followed by ceftriaxone [42.9% (3)] and sulfamethoxazole [34.7% (43)]. Doxycycline, ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin had the highest number of samples with high API content: 43.7% (38), 14.7% (10) and 11.8% (2), respectively. Significant differences in %API were found between stated countries of manufacture and stated manufacturers. CONCLUSIONS With the global threat of antimicrobial resistance on patient outcomes, greater understanding of the role of poor-quality antibiotics is needed. Substandard antibiotics will have reduced therapeutic efficacy, impacting public health and control of bacterial infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Tabernero
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
- Public Health Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Isabel Swamidoss
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Mayfong Mayxay
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
- Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuf?eld Department of Medicine, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Institute of Research and Education Development, University of Health Sciences, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | | | - Chindaphone Phonlavong
- Bureau of Food and Drug Inspection (BFDI), Ministry of Health, Government of the Lao PDR, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Chanthala Vilayhong
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Chanvilay Sichanh
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Sivong Sengaloundeth
- Food and Drug Department (FDD), Ministry of Health, Government of the Lao PDR, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Michael D. Green
- Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Paul N. Newton
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
- Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuf?eld Department of Medicine, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Infectious Diseases Data Observatory, Nuf?eld Department of Medicine, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK
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Hoellein L, Kaale E, Mwalwisi YH, Schulze MH, Vetye-Maler C, Holzgrabe U. Emerging Antimicrobial Drug Resistance in Africa and Latin America: Search for Reasons. Risk Manag Healthc Policy 2022; 15:827-843. [PMID: 35519501 PMCID: PMC9064051 DOI: 10.2147/rmhp.s205077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Medicine quality and methods for its assessment play a major role in the effectiveness of therapies and the treatment of many infectious diseases. However, poor-quality and/or falsified products are circulating in huge amounts in many low- and middle-income countries and are one of the major reasons why more and more resistant bacteria emerge. The development of resistance is additionally triggered by a plethora of antibiotic medicines which is easily available through pharmacies and unofficial sources. The uncontrolled overuse of these products is a huge problem not only in single countries but worldwide. In this review, we aim to demonstrate the factors which are involved in an emerging resistance development and how strong regulatory authorities, routine quality control by means of proficiency testing, and post-marketing surveillance as well as training personnel and patients can be combined to curb the problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludwig Hoellein
- Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Eliangiringa Kaale
- Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | | | - Marco H Schulze
- Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Institut für Krankenhaushygiene und Infektiologie, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Ulrike Holzgrabe
- Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Irungu BN, Koech LC, Ondicho JM, Keter LK. Quality assessment of selected co-trimoxazole suspension brands marketed in Nairobi County, Kenya. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257625. [PMID: 34551002 PMCID: PMC8457504 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Quality of medicines in both developed and developing countries is sometimes compromised due to infiltration of counterfeit, substandard or degraded medicines into the markets. It is a public health concern as poor quality medicines endanger public health where patients are exposed to chemical toxins and/or sub-therapeutic doses. This could lead to reduced treatment efficacy and promote development of drug resistance. Co-trimoxazole, a fixed dose combination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, is a broad spectrum for bacterial diseases and is also used as a prophylaxis for opportunistic infections in HIV infected individuals. This study evaluated quality of selected co-trimoxazole suspension brands marketed in Nairobi County, Kenya. METHODS A total of 106 samples were collected, categorized into 15 brands and evaluated for active pharmaceutical ingredient content (API) and pH following United States Pharmacopeia. Assay for API was conducted using High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Results were compared with pharmacopeia references. Visual examination of labels and confirmation of retention status of the brands with Pharmacy and Poisons Board retention register was carried out. RESULTS The samples were primarily of local origin (86.7%). On October 23, 2019, retention status of six of the fifteen brands documented were no longer listed in the Pharmacy and Poisons Board retention register. Of the 106 samples tested 70.6% and 86.8% were compliant with United States Pharmacopeia (USP) specifications for pH and API respectively while 84.0% adhered to packaging and labelling requirements. CONCLUSION This study has demonstrated that majority of co-trimoxazole suspensions tested were compliant with USP requirements. Additionally, it has provided evidence of poor quality co-trimoxazole medicines that could compromise treatment of infectious diseases in children. This emphasizes the need for regular quality assurance tests to ensure only quality medicines are in the market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Njeri Irungu
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research, Nairobi, Kenya
- * E-mail:
| | - Lilian C. Koech
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joyce M. Ondicho
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lucia K. Keter
- Kenya Medical Research Institute, Centre for Traditional Medicine and Drug Research, Nairobi, Kenya
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Tabernero P, Swamidoss I, Mayxay M, Khanthavong M, Phonlavong C, Vilayhong C, Yeuchaixiong S, Sichanh C, Sengaloundeth S, Green MD, Newton PN. A random survey of the prevalence of falsified and substandard antibiotics in the Lao PDR. J Antimicrob Chemother 2020; 74:2417-2425. [PMID: 31049576 PMCID: PMC6640311 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkz164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Tabernero
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR.,Public Health Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Isabel Swamidoss
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Mayfong Mayxay
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR.,Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Research Building, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Institute of Research and Education Development, University of Health Sciences, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | | | - Chindaphone Phonlavong
- Bureau of Food and Drug Inspection (BFDI), Ministry of Health, Government of the Lao PDR, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Chanthala Vilayhong
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Sengchanh Yeuchaixiong
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Chanvilay Sichanh
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR.,WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN), Oxford, UK
| | - Sivong Sengaloundeth
- Food and Drug Department (FDD), Ministry of Health, Government of the Lao PDR, Vientiane, Lao PDR
| | - Michael D Green
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Paul N Newton
- Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit (LOMWRU), Microbiology Laboratory, Mahosot Hospital, Vientiane, Lao PDR.,WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network (WWARN), Oxford, UK.,Centre for Tropical Medicine & Global Health, Nuffield Research Building, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Infectious Diseases Data Observatory, Nuffield Research Building, Churchill Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.,Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), London, UK
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McManus D, Naughton BD. A systematic review of substandard, falsified, unlicensed and unregistered medicine sampling studies: a focus on context, prevalence, and quality. BMJ Glob Health 2020; 5:e002393. [PMID: 32859648 PMCID: PMC7454198 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2020-002393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 04/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Substandard and falsified (SF) medicines are a global issue contributing to antimicrobial resistance and causing economic and humanitarian harm. To direct law enforcement efficiently, halt the spread of SF medicines and antimicrobial resistance, academics, NGOs and government organisations use medicine quality sampling studies to estimate the prevalence of the problem. A systematic review of medicine quality studies was conducted to estimate how the methodological quality of these studies and SF prevalence has changed between 2013 and 2018. We also aimed to critique medicine sampling study methodologies, and the systematic review process which generates prevalence estimates. Based on 33 studies, the overall estimated median (Q1-Q3) prevalence of SF medicines appears to have remained high at 25% (7.7%-34%) compared with 28.5% in 2013. Furthermore, the methodological quality of prevalence studies has improved over the last 25 years. Definitive conclusions regarding the prevalence of SF medicines cannot be drawn due to the variability in sample sizes, consistency of design methods, and a lack of information concerning contextual factors affecting medicine quality studies. We contend that studies which present cumulative average prevalence figures are useful in a broad sense but could be improved to create more reliable estimates. We propose that medicine quality studies record the context of the study environment to allow systematic reviewers to compare like with like. Although, the academic rigour of medicine quality studies is improving, medicine sampling study limitations still exist. These limitations inhibit the accurate estimation of SF medicine prevalence which is needed to support detailed policy changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic McManus
- School of Pharmacy (Formerly of), University College London, London, UK
| | - Bernard David Naughton
- Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Pharmacy Department, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
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