E-DRUG: Differences in shelf lives of same medicine
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Dear All,
I wish to draw your attention to an observation I made while crosschecking the stock of pharmaceuticals on shelf in one of our hospitals.
Product X came from two different companies. The companies did not supply different Isomers. Both supplied same product. For example both supplied Quinine Sulphate 200mg. However, while the shelf from one company was 5 years, the shelf from another company was 3 years.
I raised this issue in one International Pharmaceutical Forum in Douala Cameroon and a local manufacturer said from pharmacopoeial standards it is 5 yrs.
Another issue I noticed was that of Amoxycillin tablets from a well known giant generic company. The amoxycillin had a shelf life of two years only.
I have great fear at these problems.
Is it that one company uses raw materials that are about to expire or the quality of the active ingredient was doubtful
I would like to read your comments and suggestions.
Regards
Robert Chana
chana_robert@yahoo.co.uk
[please provide affiliation/country next time!]