Generic versus innovator: Analysis of the pharmaceutical qualities of paracetamol and ibuprofen

The physicochemical equivalence of twenty-two brands of paracetamol and nine brands of ibuprofen tablets sourced from retail Pharmacy outlets in the Nigerian market to their respective innovator brands were investigated. The uniformity of weight, friability, crushing strength, disintegration and dissolution times and assay of active paracetamol ingredient were used as assessment parameters. All the brands of paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets complied with the official specifications for uniformity of weight. However, five brands of paracetamol failed the friability test, one brand of paracetamol and two brands of ibuprofen failed the disintegration test and three brands of paracetamol and four brands of ibuprofen failed the assay of active ingredients. The study shows that not all the brands of paracetamol and ibuprofen tablets are physico-chemically equivalent to their innovator brands. There is therefore the need for constant market surveillance to ascertain their compliance with official standards and equivalence to the innovator products. Keywords: Generic, innovator brand, paracetamol, ibuprofen, physicochemical equivalence East Central African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Vol. 12 (2009) 55-6

Obstetric fistulae repair in a Nigerian Tertiary Health Institution; Lessons learnt from the outcome of care

This was a hospital based retrospective study of one hundred and fifty-five women managed for obstetric vesicovaginal fistula at the University College Hospital, Ibadan Nigeria from 2000 till 20006. The objective of the study was to document the types of obstetric vesico-vaginal fistula and also describe factors that may influence the outcome of successful repair.The pattern of the fistulae managed were Midvaginal (45.8%),  juxtacervical (38.7%) and juxtaurethral (15.5%). Gynaecologists performed 61.7% of cases using the vaginal route while urologists repaired the rest abdominally. Bivariate analysis showed that younger age at presentation, gravidity, VVF type (Anatomic and Kees Waaldijk), number of previous repairs, and presence of rectovaginal fistula and duration of urinary incontinence prior to repair were statistically significantly related to outcome of repair. Multiple logistic regression models revealed age at presentation (95% CI OR = 1.18 – 9.09) and duration of incontinence (95% CI OR = 1.39 – 13.64) as significant predictors. It is recommended that early presentation for repair and capacity building of specialist trainees will assist in the effective management and other interventions to eliminate obstetric fistula. Above all, governments at all levels should either subsidize or make antenatal care free so as to reduce the incidence of childbirth complications including vesico-vaginal fistula.Keywords: Obstetric fistula, vesico-vaginal fistula (VVF), obstructed labou

Effects of Phosphorous Application on Growth Performance, Yield and Nutritional Value of Cockscomb ( Celosia argentea L)

Effects of phosphorous (P) level on performance, yield and nutritional value of Celosia argentea L. were evaluated with the aim of determining the P level that supports the best growth, yield and nutritional qualities of the crop. The levels of P were: normal (1.348 mg\ub7kg-1 of P/pot, NP), medium (6.743 mg\ub7kg-1 of P/pot, MP), high (13.48 mg\ub7kg-1 of P/pot, HP) and no P application (control, CP). The crop growth rate (CGR) increased with increase in phosphorus gradients (NP = 0.05 g/m2\ub7d-1, MP = 0.09 g/m2\ub7d-1 and HP = 0.12 g/m2\ub7d-1). High and medium P rates increased the relative growth rate (RGR), HP had the highest RGR (0.05 g\ub7g-1/day) followed by MP (0.04 g\ub7g-1/day). Addition of P increased leaf area (LA) of C. argentea. Crude protein of the control was higher (5.56%) compared to the other P treatments (NP = 5.14, MP = 5.11 and HP = 5.03%). Phosphorus applications were beneficial for growth and enhancement of nutritional quality of C. argentea. NP and MP are recommended for growing this vegetable crop

Knowledge and use of emergency contraception by medical doctors on internship in a tertiary healthcare facility in Nigeria

Context: Emergency contraception (EC) is widely used to prevent unwanted pregnancy and it is largely adopted in many countries as over the counter drug to improve access.Aims: To determine and compare the correct knowledge, attitude and current use of EC among newly graduated medical doctors (MDs).Settings and Design: A cross.sectional study conducted among 255 newly graduated MDs at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: A pretested self.administered questionnaire was used to obtain data from consenting participants.Statistical Analysis Used: Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable analyses were performed, and statistical significance was set at 0.05. Statistical Package for Social Science version 15.0 (Chicago, IL, USA) software was used.Results: The mean age of the respondents was 27.2 years (standard deviation = 2.1). The commonest indication for emergency contraceptive use mentioned was rape.96.5%. About 70% support EC in Nigeria, while about a quarter (26.9%) routinely counsel women about ECP use. About 21% of respondents currently use EC. Logistic regression analysis revealed significant results for gender [odds ratio (OR) =3.64; 95% confidence interval (CI) OR = 1.31.10.01), religion (OR = 0.26; 95% CI OR =  0.11.0.630) and marital status (OR = 0.19; 95% CI = 0.07.0.56). Conclusion: The correct knowledge and professional disposition toward EC as a form of contraception is low. We recommend that in.service training  should focus more on EC to improve the quality of their knowledge and  attitude towards it.Key words: Emergency contraception, knowledge, Medical Doctor, Nigeri

Preparation and use of plant medicines for farmers' health in Southwest Nigeria: socio-cultural, magico-religious and economic aspects

Agrarian rural dwellers in Nigeria produce about 95% of locally grown food commodities. The low accessibility to and affordability of orthodox medicine by rural dwellers and their need to keep healthy to be economically productive, have led to their dependence on traditional medicine. This paper posits an increasing acceptance of traditional medicine country-wide and advanced reasons for this trend. The fact that traditional medicine practitioners' concept of disease is on a wider plane vis-à-vis orthodox medicine practitioners' has culminated in some socio-cultural and magico-religious practices observed in preparation and use of plant medicines for farmers' health management. Possible scientific reasons were advanced for some of these practices to show the nexus between traditional medicine and orthodox medicine. The paper concludes that the psychological aspect of traditional medicine are reflected in its socio-cultural and magico-religious practices and suggests that government should fund research into traditional medicine to identify components of it that can be integrated into the national health system

Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality. Methods Prospective cohort study in 109 institutions in 41 countries. Inclusion criteria: children <18 years who were newly diagnosed with or undergoing active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, retinoblastoma, Wilms tumour, glioma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of 2327 cases, 2118 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality at 30 days, 90 days and 12 months. Results All-cause mortality was 3.4% (n=71/2084) at 30-day follow-up, 5.7% (n=113/1969) at 90-day follow-up and 13.0% (n=206/1581) at 12-month follow-up. The median time from diagnosis to multidisciplinary team (MDT) plan was longest in low-income countries (7 days, IQR 3-11). Multivariable analysis revealed several factors associated with 12-month mortality, including low-income (OR 6.99 (95% CI 2.49 to 19.68); p<0.001), lower middle income (OR 3.32 (95% CI 1.96 to 5.61); p<0.001) and upper middle income (OR 3.49 (95% CI 2.02 to 6.03); p<0.001) country status and chemotherapy (OR 0.55 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.86); p=0.008) and immunotherapy (OR 0.27 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.91); p=0.035) within 30 days from MDT plan. Multivariable analysis revealed laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 5.33 (95% CI 1.19 to 23.84); p=0.029) was associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusions Children with cancer are more likely to die within 30 days if infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, timely treatment reduced odds of death. This report provides crucial information to balance the benefits of providing anticancer therapy against the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer

Vaginoplasty case series at the University College Hospital Ibadan

Transverse vaginal septum is a benign condition with the septum occurring at various levels within the vagina; it may occur in the upper third, mid-vaginal or lower third. A report of five cases of transverse vaginal septum managed at the University College Hospital between January, 2006 and December, 2009. Three were cases of congenital transversevaginal septum while the other two were cases of acquired transverse vaginal septum. Diagnosis of congenital transverse vaginal septum was made following history of primary amenorrhea, pelvic examination revealing a vaginal septum. In addition, a pelvic mass and ultrasound findings of haematocolpos and haematometria were present in the first case. Diagnosis of acquired vaginal septum was made following history ofsecondary amenorrhea, cyclical abdominal pain and pelvic examination findings of gynaetresia and vaginal septum. In all but one, surgical resection of the transverse vaginal septum was performed, followed by lining of the vagina by split thickness skin graft (STSG): the McIndoe-Read operation. All the procedures were performed in conjunction with the Plastic surgeon. They were seen at the Gynaecology clinic post operatively at two weeks, six weeks, three and six months respectively. Four out of the five cases successfully menstruated following surgery. The fifth case waslost to follow up. The first case was able to achieve successful coitus. None of the cases required blood transfusion nor suffered serious complications such as fistula formation. However, in two cases there was premature expulsion of the mould one of which was due to vaginal infection leading to sloughing and secondary skin grafting.Key words: Cryptomenorrhoea, haematocolpos, vaginal septum, vaginoplasty

Sustainable management of the Nigerian forests for poverty alleviation

Nigerian forests have played very important roles in the economy of the nation. Forestry was a major contributor to the foreign exchange earnings of Nigeria which assisted in various developmental projects in the country. Nigeria has a land area of 99.3 million hectares of which about 10% are estimated as forest when compared with Ghana’s - 41%, Liberia’s 48%, Senegal’s 39% and Sierra Leone’s 26%. In Nigeria, conservation is well below the FAO’s recommendation of at least 20-25%. The major cause of poverty in Nigeria is poor management of resources. The Nigerian forest is made up of over 500 species of trees which attain a height of 12m and a girth of 60cm. The forest ecosystem contains many valuable plant species which are of considerable value in providing food, shelter, drugs and fibres. It has been suggested that there may be over 6000 Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) species in Nigeria. Forests are remarkable assets which if properly managed could perpetuate their usefulness. The people must be seen as important stakeholders and hence be involved in the decisions that affect the sustainable management of the forests. The success of all the efforts aimed at the sustainable management of the forest resources, especially the NTFP species, depend on the combined efforts of the stakeholders. This paper examines the resources of the Nigeria forests, the past and the present status of the resources and the roles these resources have played and continue to play in the lives of the people if managed sustainably.Key words: Nigeria, forest, sustainable management, poverty alleviatio

Formulation and in vitro evaluation of natural gum-based microbeads for delivery of Ibuprofen

Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness of three natural gums, namely albizia, cissus and khaya gums, as excipients for the formulation of ibuprofen microbeads.Methods: Ibuprofen microbeads were prepared by the ionotropic gelation method using the natural gums and their blends with sodium alginate at various concentrations using different chelating agents (calcium chloride, zinc chloride, calcium acetate and zinc acetate) at different concentrations. Microbeads were assessed using SEM, swelling characteristics, drug entrapment efficiencies, release properties and drug release kinetics.Results: The natural gums alone could not form stable microbeads in the different chelating agents. Stable small spherical discrete microbeads with particle size of 1.35 ± 0.11 to 1.78 ± 0.11 mm, were obtained using the blends of natural gum: alginate at total polymer concentration of 2 % w/v using 10 % w/v calcium chloride solution at a stirring speed of 300 rpm. The encapsulation efficiencies of the microbeads ranged from 35.3 to 79.8 % and dissolution times, t15 and t80 increased with increase in the concentration of the natural gums present in the blends. Controlled release was obtained for over 4 h and the release was found to be by a combination of diffusion and erosion mechanisms from spherical formulations.Conclusion: The three natural gums would be useful in the formulation of ibuprofen microbeads and the type and concentration of natural gum in the polymer blend can be used to modulate the release properties of the microbeads.Keywords: Microbeads, Ibuprofen, Natural gums, Sodium alginate, Drug release kinetic

Geochemical and petrogenetic trends of syenite and charnockitic rock of Ike Iho and Osuntedo areas, soutweastern Nigeria

No Abstract.Journal of Mining and Geology Vol. 44 (1) 2008: pp. 21-3