Background: Dissolution is the critical quality control parameter and used to predict an in vivo oral bioavailability, and it is used to support bio-waiver. Aim: To evaluate and compare the dissolution profile of eight brands of metformin HCL 500 mg tablets available in Jimma town, Southwest Ethiopia. Methods: The study was conducted in Jimma town, Ethiopia. Eight (seven brands and one comparator) metformin HCL 500 mg tablets were included. The dissolution study was conducted as per United States Pharmacopeia, and the dissolution profile was compared by one-way ANOVA, model-dependent and model-independent approaches. Results: All of the included tablet brands complied with single-point dissolution study specification. Statistical comparisons of the dissolution profile by one-way ANOVA revealed that all brands had similar dissolution profiles (p=0.89). All of the brands had a similarity factor (f 2 ) >50% and the difference factor (f 1 ) <15. The entire brands followed the Weibull curve approach (the highest coefficient of determination and lowest Akaike Information Criteria) for the release of an active pharmaceutical ingredient. Conclusion:All of the brands complied with single point dissolution study and all of them could be used interchangeably with the innovator drug. All brands followed the Weibull method for the release of the drug substance.

Background Self-medication (SM) can be defined as the use of drugs to treat self-diagnosed disorders or symptoms, or the intermittent or continued use of a prescribed drug for chronic or recurrent disease or symptoms. A number of individuals in developing countries do not attend physicians for their illnesses; instead they commonly use self-medication. Self-medication could be using drugs existing in home like over the counter (OCT) drugs, traditional medicine, prescription only drug. Self-medication is not always bad, hence for the over the counter drugs it is beneficial. Inappropriate storage and use of medicines at home could have a direct influence on public health, the environment and the health-care services and it increases the risk of self-medication. Objective To assess the practice of self-medication and drug storage among South Sudanese community in Addis Ababa. Materials and methods A cross sectional study design was conducted in Addis Ababa city from April 22 to April 26/2019. Data was collected by semi structure-questionnaire consisting questions on general demographic, socio-economic as well as on perceived illness/ symptoms in the past four weeks and actions taken for it. The data collected was screened before it is analyzed. Data analysis was done by using calculator. Results From the total 297 respondents 286 (96.2%) had reported self-medication in the last one month before the study period. The most common types of ailments for which the respondents reported to have practiced self-medication were cough, cold and sore throat 90(30.3%), followed by headache 66(22.2%), diarrhea 52(17.5%) ,abdominal pain 47(15.8%), fever 21(7.07%) and vomiting 10(3.3%). The reasons given for self-medication were; the illness was minor 226(76%) and previous experiences with similar ailments 31 (10.4%) were found to be the two major reasons given by the respondents for self-medication in this study. The majority of the respondents 242(81.4%) who practiced self-medication obtained information on self-medication from friends and 29(9.7%) obtained information from family members. The most frequently used group of drugs used for self-medication were analgesics/antipyretics 177(59.5%) and antimicrobial which account 75(25.2%) each followed by antihelmenthics 24(8.08%).The main source of drugs for SM was in pharmacy 220(74.07%) followed by leftover drugs 41(13.8%) while drug retail outlet, and neighbors and relatives were the suppliers to 12.13% respondents each. Conclusion and recommendation A significant number of respondents (96.2%) use S/M from those perceived illness. Majority of the self-medicated individuals used due to minor illness. The most common category of drugs used was analgesics/antipyretics and antimicrobials. And the reason reported for using S/M was minor illness and previous experience with the illness. Most of respondents obtained drugs easily from pharmacy. So, pharmacies are the major sources of drugs used for S/M. The increased of drugs storage to treat similar illness/symptom and drugs left over from previous use contribute to the increase in the S/M practice. Common drugs store reported by respondents who store modern drugs were analgesic/antipyretic. Most of the respondents stored the drug in locked cabinets. A lot is need to be done in educating the public including the health care providers on the type of illnesses that can be self-diagnosed and self-treated, the type of drugs to be used for S/M, and the proper use of drugs. During dispensing of drugs emphasis should be given to all drug consumers and dispenser because of resistance and side effects of drug is the main challenging problem even in the world. Food, Medicines and Healthcare Administration and Control Authority (FMHACA) needs to effectively implement laws on drug handling and dispensing so as to take necessary measures on illegal providers of drugs.

Malaria is one of causes of morbidity and mortality in tropical and subtropical countries. The availability, appropriate management, and rational use of medicines are critical to the successful implementation of the malaria control programs. The aim of this study was to assess the availability, use, and utilization of medicines used for preventing and treating malaria in public health facilities in Jimma town in Southwest Ethiopia. Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from mid of February to March 2017. Three data collection techniques were used: document reviews, structured interviews, and physical inventory checks using the World Health Organization Checklist. The most available antimalaraldrugs in health facility were Arthemeter/lumefantrine and the least one was quinine injection. On average, stock out period was 37.9%, The most commonly prescribed medication was chloroquine tablet (48.09%), followed by Arthemeter/lumefantrine combination tablet (22.9%), chloroquine syrup (15.26%), quinine300 mg tablet (10.68%), and quinine injections (3.05%) respectively. The adherence to Standard Treatment Guidelines of Ethiopia was 75%. There was poor inventory control system and long stock out period. While most prescribers adhering to national STGs. Implementing good inventory control system, training on drug supply management, and continuous supervision of the public health facilities by Jimma town health office was recommended.

Background: Dispensing practices refers to the delivery of the correct drug and medical supply to the right patients, in the required dosage, quantities and clear drug information. The contributing of pharmacy professional in this regard has a role towards that goal.Objective: To assess knowledge of the dispensers and quality in dispensing practices given at shenen gibe hospital and mendera Kochi health center in Jimma town. Methods:The study was conducted at Shenen Gibe hospital and Mendera Kochi health center in Jimma town. A cross sectional study was conducted by using self administered questionnaire including with all dispensers at working area during study period. Result:The result of this study was analyzed using tables and graphs. Conclusion:Irrational dispensing practice like dispensing of poorly labelled drugs, lack of patient counselling and dispensing error were frequently occurred. In addition, only few of the dispensers updated themselves timely. Therefore, dispensers should be well trained on good dispensing practice to decrease dispensing errors.

Introduction: Metformin hydrochloride, classified under the class of biguanide, is an oral anti-diabetic agent used in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. According to the biopharmaceutical classification system, metformin is classified as a Class III drug. This study aims to compare the quality of metformin hydrochloride 500 mg tablets available in Jimma town.Methods: The physical characteristic, packaging and labeling information of samples were evaluated according to the WHO guideline. In-vitro tests such as weight variation, friability, dissolution rate, and assay were performed on six brands of metformin hydrochloride tablets available in Jimma town following method outlined in USP. Experimental data were analyzed using SPSS- 20 and one-way ANOVA. To compare the dissolution profiles of the generic products with innovator product, a model-independent approach, similarity factor (f2), difference factor (f1) and dissolution efficiency (DE) were used.Results: All the tested brands were in line with the WHO specifications for physical characteristics, packaging and labeling of pharmaceuticals. Insumet had percent weight deviation more than 5% and failed to comply with the USP specification for uniformity of weight. Statistically, all brands had significant difference in their mean weight variation (P<0.001). The assay results range from 95.21% to 99.61% showing that all the brands met the USP requirement. Moreover, a single point dissolution test results of the brands ranged from 85.4% to 96.7% showing compliance to USP specification. Conclusion: No brand showed any sign of counterfeit and only Insumet failed to comply with the USP specification for weight variation test. All brands complied with the United States Pharmacopeia specification for the friability, assay and single point dissolution test. Furthermore, the model-independent approach and dissolution efficiency revealed that all the brands were interchangeable with the comparator product.