Keywords
Assessment
Ciprofloxacin
Effectiveness
Potency
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the quality of ciprofloxacin tablets available in northeastern Nigeria, a region with a high burden of infectious diseases and a growing concern over substandard and counterfeit medications. (WHO, 2020) A total of 15 ciprofloxacin samples were randomly collected from pharmacies, hospitals, and informal drug vendors across the six states in the region. Experimental Research Design was adopted for the study; fifteen brands of ciprofloxacin were purchased from the market in different States of Northeastern Nigeria, and all the brands were given an identifier code. An evaluation of fifteen brands of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride tablets was conducted with a view to determining the quality of the drug used in the region. The analysis and experiment were conducted in Nigeria (Ahmadu Bello University, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Lab), where the Weight Uniformity, identification, Assay, Friability, disintegration, and dissolution profiles of each Brand were determined using the pharmacopoeia quality control test standards. The study findings revealed that 78% of the samples met the pharmacopoeia standards for API content, while 22% exhibited significant deviations, with some containing less than 80% of the stated ciprofloxacin content. Disintegration and dissolution tests showed that 84% of the samples complied with acceptable limits, but 16% failed, potentially affecting bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy. Packaging and labeling analysis identified inconsistencies in 30% of the samples, including missing batch numbers, expiry dates, and manufacturer details. These findings highlight the presence of substandard ciprofloxacin in northeastern Nigeria, which could contribute to treatment failure, antimicrobial resistance, and public health risks. The study underscores the need for stricter regulatory oversight, improved supply chain management, and public awareness campaigns to ensure the availability of quality-assured medications in the region.
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