Quality control of some brands of chloroquine tablets available in Nigeria

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the quality of twenty brands of chloroquine tablets available in Nigeria. The identification, assay and in vitro studies of twenty (A-T) commercial brands of chloroquine tablets readily available in Nigeria were examined using official methods. All the brands passed the uniformity of weight test and the chemical identification tests. Their infra red (IR) spectra patterns were similar to that of reference sample. Brands F and H did not give any melting point. Only brand K failed the hardness test; 8 brands each out of twenty failed the friability and the assay test. The result of brands E and K did not comply with the specification for disintegration of tablet in the monograph. The dissolution test results for all the brands except F and H were in conformity with the specification in British Pharmacopoeia (BP). Only five brands out of twenty brands examined passed all the tests that were carried out. The results therefore indicated that most brands of Chloroquine tablets in the market are not of good quality