E-drug: Tablets: "Chewable" or "To be chewed" - Language versus
Technology?
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Dear colleagues
I have recently had the opportunity to technically evaluate bids for
procurement of Albendazole 400mg tablets ("chewable"). One supplier lost
allocated points on the grounds that even though all the documentation
suggested a "chewable" product, it was not labelled as such. However, this
set me reflecting on what "chewable" means from both a language and
technology point of view. "Chewable" certainly does not mean "To be
chewed". When my colleagues and I tried to find out whether from a
technology or standards point of view this means "should be chewed" , we
could not get a clear- cut position.
Incidentally, one of the products evaluated and passed indicated on the
label "To be chewed. Not for swallow" ( no responsibility for language!!)!
This matter interested me even more, because when I did an internet
search, the number of medicinal and nutritional tablets identified as
"chewable" was just incredible.
I will therefore appreciate any monograph reference for any product which
leads me to close the matter that "chewable tablets should indeed be
chewed and never/not swallowed".
Murtada M. Sesay
Technical Officer (Pharmaceuticals)
UNICEF Supply Division
UNICEF Plads, Freeport
DK-2100
Denmark
Telephone: +45 3527 3098
Facsimile: +45 3526 9421
E-mail: msesay@unicef.org.
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