Screening microbial contamination and physical properties of some drugs in Erbil-Kurdistan region-Iraq

Abstract EN

Present study attempted to determine the microbiological quality and the physical properties of same drug commonly used for disease medication in Erbil.A total of 3924 drugs samples from different retailer drug stores before using for the treatment of patients were subjected to microbiological examinations using: Sterility test and Limulus amebocyte lysate test for injection and medical products .

Microbial Limited Test for capsules and syrup(oral suspension ) and biochemical method to detected the viable bacteria and fungi .out of 3924 different drugs samples, 128 samples 73 (57.1%) injection, 9(7.1%) oral suspension , 3(2.3%) capsule ,3(2.3%) eye drop, 2(1.6%) ointment, 9(7.1%) gel and oil and 29(22.7%) tablets samples were found to be contaminated by different types of bacteria.

The results show the presence of gram negative pathogens including Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and gram positive pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus, there was no growth of fungi.

The physical properties of total 403 oral suspensions samples only 9 (2%) samples were not comply with standard rule in assay and related substances test .

From 850 injection samples only 73(8.6%) of them were not comply for only assay and related substances test.

Out of 200,186,232 ointment, Gel and Oil samples respectively only 3(1.5%) ointment, 9 (3.9%) Gel and 2(1.1%) Oil samples did not comply for density, assay and related substances tests.

from 721, 1332 capsules and tablets samples were in comply for most of the test except 3 (4%) capsules and ,29 (2.1%) tablets samples were not comply for assay and related substances test.

Existence of microorganisms in drug samples show that counterfeit and unapproved pharmaceuticals are not manufactured under the same hygienic conditions as medication products .A routine microbiological tests of such drugs are necessary.-