The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic is putting a huge strain on healthcare systems and is a turning point for the beginning of a global health crisis of an unprecedented condition. As such, the provision of quality pharmacy services particularly, dispensing practice with pre-existing challenges in resource-limited settings is a grave concern in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, in this commentary we described the pattern of dispensing practice in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic by evaluating the current condition of drug dispensing practice in drug retail outlets of Jimma Town.

This study introduces a unique and useful method developed for the medical treatment of the Covid-19, coronavirus and other virus diseases by applying a "Bio-robotic Resonance and Thermo dynamical Interaction" with Analogy of "Frequency -Resonance Setting Formation on the Application of "Algorithm for Smart Drugs Controlled by a Bio-robotic System". By this methodology, it is assumed that the frequency curves for both coronavirus RNA configuration and the drug algorithm are sinusoidal waves. In that case, when the frequency modulation interval of drug algorithm created by a bio-robotic system is overlapped and superposed with the frequency change interval of virus structural RNA configuration, the activation of the virus may be destroyed similar to energy dissipation generated by two sinusoidal waves which exterminate and cancel each other.Thanks to the thermodynamical interaction between the virus and the drug realized through the borders of open cell system, the operating mechanism of virus RNA structure shall be broken. Therefore, at least the negative effects of the viruses can be slow down and the immune system can take the body control again, so the treatment of the patient change for the better. If this unique useful medical treatment method is regarded as a great team work explained here and after having put into medical treatment practice successfully, it is obviously clear that a considerable amount of contribution for the coronavirus treatment can be provided and the all humankind can get benefit for their health and lives.

Back-ground: Poor quality Amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium tablets have been recently discovered in generic drugs related to Augmentin-like medicines containing amoxicillin and clavulanic acid, as well as its derivatives containing falsified active ingredients. One of the most important dosage form characteristics is a detailed API dissolution profile obtained through dissolution testing. The dissolution test is used in the development of both brand-name and generic drugs. Prior to beginning bioequivalence studies, it is critical to compare the dissolution profiles of various pharmaceutical products. As a result, dissolution is a critical quality control parameter for drugs because it has a direct impact on absorption. Objective: Dissolution Profile Evaluation of Seven Brands of Amoxicillin-Clavulanate Potassium Tablets Retailed in Hawassa Town, Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia. Methods: The seven brands of amoxicillin-clavulanate potassium tablets were collected from Hawassa town, Sidama Regional State, Ethiopia. The dissolution study was conducted as per USP40-NF35, and the dissolution profile was compared by One-way ANOVA Dunnett’s test, model independent, and model dependent method 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 > 0.05). All brands had difference factor (f1) < 15%. However, the f2 (similarity factor) value justify that all tested brands of Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablet values were outside of an acceptable range of USFDA (< 50%). The evaluated brands followed the Korsmeyer peppas- followed by Weibull curve approach (the highest coefficient of determination) for the release of drug substances from the dosage forms. Based on the fit factor f2 (similarity), all tested brands may be not be considered interchangeable with the innovator drug. Therefore, Researcher, the national Medicine regulatory bodies, and the manufacturer should conduct a properly designed dissolution test as proof of in vitro bioequivalence study supported by an in vivo bioavailability data.

Background The magnitude of expired medicines in supply chains are increasing globally due to lack of strict control of the supply chain, poor storage management and oversupply of medicines. This situation is very serious in resource-poor countries, including Ethiopia, where the supply of medicines is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the magnitude and the contributing factors of expired medicines in the Public Pharmaceutical Supply Chains of Western Ethiopia. Methods Explanatory sequential study design involving mixed quantitative and qualitative approach were employed among 62 public pharmaceutical supply chains of Western Ethiopia from July1 to August 30, 2021. An observational checklist and the self-administered questionnaire were used to review all records of the expired medicine file and to abstract secondary data on the extent, types of expired medicines and its contributing factors. The collected data was cleared, filtered, and coded using Microsoft Excel® 2010, and exported to SPSS version-23 (Amsterdam, Netherland) for statistical analysis. Bivariate logistic regression was used to check association between the outcome and independent variables. Multivariate logistic regression was analyzed when p-value is less than or equal to 0.25 in bivariate binary logistic regression, considering the statistical at p-value < 0.05. Moreover, audio recordings were transcribed and coded for emergent themes using thematic analysis. Results The study revealed 5% expire rate over past two financial (2012 up to 2013) years and the total amount of expired drugs is estimated at 20 million Ethiopian Birr (ETB). Tetanus antitoxin (TAT), in terms of single drug value, had the highest drug expiry (4,110,426.43ETB: 20%), followed by liquid dosage forms (11,614,266.11 ETB: 57%). The Binary logistic regression result indicated that, poor store management were more likely associated with the magnitude of expired medicine than those with good store management (COR: 10.706, 95% CI: 2.148, 53.348). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that poor store management (AOR: 9.718, 95% CI: 1.474, 64.082) was a significant contributor to the expire rate at 5% (P < 0.05). Most facilities did not have a procedure, and programme for disposing of expired medicines. According to key informants, inadequate inventory management, lack of policy and implementation of standards are the main contributing factors of the medicine's expiration. Conclusion and recommendations The current study found that the overall rate of medication expiration is high, at a significant cost to the budget. Inadequate inventory management, lack of policy, and implementation of standards are the main contributing factors to the medicine's expiration, as cited by key informants. Further research is necessary to determine the quality and efficacy of these expired drugs to extend their shelf life to ensure adequate access to drugs in resource-limited settings.

Background Azithromycin is a therapeutically” relevant macrolide antibiotic registered on the Essential Medicines List of the World Health Organization. The fact that medicine is selected as an essential drug doesn’t mean that it is of good quality. Hence, a continuous quality evaluation of the drug should be mandated to verify that the right medication is available on the market. Objective To evaluate the quality of Azithromycin Tablets commonly marketed in Adama, and Modjo town, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Methods All six brands were subjected to in-vitro quality control tests, which were carried out according to procedures described in the manufacturer’s method, the United States Pharmacopeia, and the WHO inspection tool. All quality control parameters were compared by one-way ANOVA. Statistically, significant difference was considered when P<0.05. The in-vitro dissolution profiles of the brands were also compared statistically using the post-hoc Dunnett test, model-independent and model-dependent approaches. Results All of the evaluated brands agreed with WHO visual inspection criteria. All of the tablets achieved the thickness, and diameter test requirements of the manufacturer’s specification (±5%). All brands passed the hardness, friability, weight variation, disintegration, identity, and assay tests as stipulated by USP. The dissolution rate was more than 80% in 30 minutes, which was within the USP specification. The model-independent parameters have confirmed that only two brands (2/6) were deemed better brands for interchangeability. Weibull and Korsemeyer’s Peppas model were the best release models. Conclusion All of the evaluated brands passed the quality specification. The model dependent approaches revealed that drug release data fit well to the Weibull, and Korsemeyer’s Peppas release models. However, the model-independent parameters have confirmed that only two brands were deemed better brands (2/6) for interchangeability. Due to the dynamic nature of low-quality medications, the Ethiopian Food, and Drug Authority should keep an eye on marketed products to guarantee their quality, especially for drugs like azithromycin for which non-bioequivalence data from the study has revealed a clinical concern.