Fola Tayo

In Vitro Equivalence Studies of Generic Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets and Propranolol Hydrochloride Tablets Under Biowaiver Conditions in Lagos State, Nigeria

This study used biowaiver conditions to assess bioequivalence of some generic products used in Nigeria. None of the generic samples tested met biowaiver conditions; therefore, in vivo bioequivalence studies are required to ascertain therapeutic equivalence. To take advantage of the cost savings of using in vitro dissolution as a surrogate for bioequivalence studies, manufacturers of generic products need to consider factors that affect solubility and permeability of their products when formulating them.

Pharmacists' participation in the documentation of medication history in a developing setting: An exploratory assessment with new criteria

Objective To assess the impact of pharmacists’ participation on the frequency and depth of medication history information documented in a developing setting like Nigeria Method The study consisted of two phases. The first phase was a baseline cross-sectional assessment of the frequency and depth of medication history information documented by physicians in case notes of systematic samples of 900 patients that were stratified over 9 Medical outpatients Units at a premier teaching hospital in south western Nigeria. The second phase was an exploratory study involving 10 pharmacists who conducted cross-sectional medication history interview for 324 randomly selected patients. Results 49.2% of patients, whose medication history were documented at the baseline, by physicians, were males; while 50.3% of patient interviewed by pharmacists were male. Mean age (SD) of males and females whose medication histories were documented by physicians and pharmacists were 43.2 (SD=18.6), 43.1 (SD=17.9) years and 51.5 (SD=17.6), 52.1 (SD=17.4) years respectively. The frequency of medication history information documented by pharmacists was significantly higher for twelve of the thirteen medication history components (P < 0.0001). These include prescription medicines; over the counter medicines; source of medicines; adverse drug reactions; allergy to drugs, allergy to foods, allergy to chemicals; patient adherence; alcohol use; cigarette smoking; dietary restrictions and herbal medicine use. The depth of medication history information acquired and documented by pharmacist was significantly better for all the thirteen medication history components (P<0.0001). Conclusion Pharmacists’ participation resulted in significant increase in frequency and depth of medication history information documented in a developing setting like Nigeria. The new medication history evaluation criteria proved useful in assessing the impact of pharmacists’ participation.

Evaluation of the cost of therapy for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections in a Nigerian teaching hospital.

Objective  To determine the cost of therapy to patients of sexually transmitted infections in a Nigerian teaching hospital.

Perception and practices of Lagos state residents on the prevention and control of malaria in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Malaria remains one of the major public health problems worldwide. It is an important cause of death and illness in children and adults in sub-Saharan Africa accounting for over a million deaths per year. The purpose of this study was to determine the perception and practices of the Lagos state residents on malaria. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in five of the 20 local government areas (LGAs) in Lagos Nigeria. Using a multistaged sampling method, 5 LGAs and 12, 500 study participants were selected. The survey instrument was a structured, pretested, interviewer-administered questionnaire which sought for information on knowledge, attitude, and practices of the respondents on malaria. Data analysis was done using Epi-info V6.04d software. Results: The mean age was 35.5 ± 10.5 years. There were 8697 females (69.7%) and 3786 (30.3%) males. About 84% of the respondents correctly knew that malaria is transmitted by mosquitoes. Headache was the most recognized symptom (56.6%), while vomiting was the least (17.9%). About half of the participants recognized cleaning the environment as a primary preventive measure and the same number claimed to do so. Approximately, half of respondents claimed usage of insecticide-treated bed nets. Sulphadoxime-pyrimethamine (Fansidar) was the most frequently used (32.7%) antimalarial agent and the use of artemisinin combination therapy was low. Conclusion: Knowledge of malaria symptoms was average and the use of preventive measures was suboptimal. Increasing awareness of all stakeholders on traditional and contemporary preventive measures may enhance the control of this health condition.

Cost effectiveness of three drugs for the treatment of S. aureus infections in Nigeria

Background Resistance of microorganisms to existing antimicrobial agents threatens the effective utilization of available resources in sub-Saharan Africa. Cost-effective utilization of antibacterial agents is essential in effective health care delivery in Nigeria. Objectives To determine the most cost effective antibacterial agent in the treatment of S. aureus infections in Lagos metropolis. Setting The study was carried out in a teaching hospital, a specialist hospital, a referral center and two private hospitals. Methods Cost effectiveness analysis of ciprofloxacin, cefuroxime and gentamicin identified to be most effective agent against 463 clinical isolates of S. aureus obtained from the five hospitals was carried out on the basis of societal, health care and third party perspectives using ‘decision table” as an analytical model. Criteria considered in the model included degree of efficacy of the agents, adherence tendencies and tolerability. Both direct (cost of drugs, diagnosis/monitoring, personnel and transportation) and indirect (loss of productivity) costs were evaluated. Main outcome measures These include economic outcome as total therapy cost, clinical outcomes as extent of antibacterial effectiveness obtained from degree of antibacterial efficacy, a proxy measurement of cure rates, and adherence tendency. Humanistic outcome was also measured as tolerability prorated from literature reported degree of adverse drug reactions events, risk of infection and pains from drug administration. Results Ciprofloxacin tablet is a dominant option and much more cost-effective than either cefuroxime or gentamicin in the treatment of S. aureus in Lagos. Regardless of the perspective of analysis, ciprofloxacin has the least cost effectiveness ratio of NGN4214.66 (

Does a physician's specialty influence the recording of medication history in patients' case notes?

28.09), NGN2392.63 (

Frequency, types and severity of medication use-related problems among medical outpatients in Nigeria

16.00) and NGN2048.66 (

Bioequivalence of pyrantel pamoate dosage forms in healthy human subjects.

13.65) from societal, health care and third party payer perspectives, respectively. Sensitivity analysis by increasing the effectiveness index of gentamicin injection-the least cost effective option to the value for the most cost effective option did not change the results. Conclusion Ciprofloxacin should be used as first-line-treatment of S aureus in Lagos as it will lead to significant cost savings in the treatment of S. aureus infections.