Current Status of Cannabis Legalization and Decriminalization Efforts in Nepal.

The unique historical and cultural background of Nepal has shaped its perspective on cannabis usage. Narcotic Drugs Control Act 1976 of Nepal prohibits the cultivation, production, manufacture, sales, and distribution of narcotic drugs, which also include various forms of cannabis. With proponents for cannabis legalization increasing in the country, it is equally crucial to analyze context and practices in countries already adopting legalization.

Development and Characterization of Hygroscopicity-Controlled Sustain Release Formulation of Divalproex Sodium.

Objectives: Divalproex sodium (DS), being a hygroscopic drug, requires low humidity during product manufacturing. This study aims to develop a hygroscopicity controlled sustained release formulation of DS that can be manufactured in relatively high humid conditions in facilities lacking dehumidifiers.

Materials And Methods: This study focuses on the role of polyethylene glycol (PEG-8000) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC K100M) as polymers of choice to control hygroscopicity and retard release of DS using solid dispersion technique.

Formulation and Characterization of Phytostanol Ester Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for the Management of Hypercholesterolemia: An ex vivo Study.

Background: Phytostanols are naturally occurring compounds that reduce blood cholesterol levels significantly. However, their aqueous insolubility poses formulation challenges.

Aim: To formulate and characterize solid lipid nanoparticle carriers for phytostanol esters to enhance the bioavailability of phytostanols.

Effect of knowledge and perception on adherence to iron and folate supplementation during pregnancy in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Background: Adherence to iron and folate supplementation during pregnancy is considered key to prevention and control of iron deficiency anemia. Nepal-like other developing countries-faces problems with adherence vis-a-vis iron/folate supplementation.

Objective: This descriptive survey aimed to assess the effect ofknowledge and perception ofpregnant women on adherence to iron/folate supplementation in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Simple HPLC-UV method for the quantification of metformin in human plasma with one step protein precipitation.

This study presents the optimization of a simple HPLC-UV method for the determination of metformin in human plasma. Ion pair separation followed by UV detection was performed on deproteinized human plasma samples. The separation was carried out on a Discovery Reversed Phase C-18 column (250 × 4.

Knowledge of and attitude towards HIV/AIDS and condom use among construction workers in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.

Background: Nepal is seeing a surge in physical infrastructure in the past few years. Numerous workers enter the Kathmandu Valley to join the construction sector.

Objective: This was a descriptive survey that set out to understand the knowledge of and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS along with the use of condoms among construction workers in the Kathmandu Valley.

In vivo evaluation of nicotine lyophilised nasal insert in sheep.

The nasal route offers an attractive means of delivering a drug directly to the systemic circulation and avoiding hepatic first-pass metabolism, although rapid mucociliary clearance can be detrimental to nasal absorption. The in vitro and in vivo characteristics of a nasal insert formulation prepared by lyophilisation of a viscous HPMC gel solution designed to overcome this problem were studied. In vitro release of nicotine from the lyophilised insert was compared with powder and spray formulations.