Anthranoid-containing medicines and food supplements on the Belgian market: a comparative study.

Medicines and food supplements containing anthranoid herbal drug preparations were verified on identity of the herbal substance, content of total hydroxyanthracene glycosides and microbiological quality. All examined medicines complied with the fixed requirements whereas all food supplements deviated from 1 or more of the criteria. The food supplements showed a large variability in quality and content.

[Improving the quality of compounded medicines through self-assessment: proof of concept].

A systematic quality control of compounded medicines, and an associated guidance of community pharmacists, was identified as a complementary opportunity to improve and guarantee the quality of compounded medicines. Before implementing this on a national scale, a pilot project was organized. Fifty pharmacies prepared the same formula and had it checked regarding labelling, preparation reports and analytical parameters.

[Glucosamine preparations on the Belgian market: a comparative study].

Fourteen food supplements and one medicine containing glucosamine and formulated as film-coated tablets and capsules, were evaluated with different tests, including uniformity of mass and dosage units, disintegration, identification and assay of glucosamine with a validated HPLC-ELSD method. The medicinal product fulfilled all the fixed requirements whereas three food supplements didn't comply with regard to disintegration (product 7) and content of glucosamine (product 11 and 13).

Nifedipine preparations on the Belgian market: a comparative study.

Nifedipine preparations formulated as immediate-release capsules and prolonged-release tablets were evaluated with different tests, including in vitro dissolution, assay and content uniformity, and determination of related compounds. The analytical methods were previously validated according to international guidelines. All examined products complied with the postulated requirements but the dissolution test for prolonged-release tablets showed that these products cannot be interchanged.

Dextromethorphan hydrobromide preparations on the Belgian market--a comparative study.

Liquid preparations for oral use containing dextromethorphan hydrobromide were verified on identity, content and microbiological quality. The assay method was previously validated according to international guidelines. All examined products complied with the postulated requirements.