Original article
English
Raja M. Moman, Mohamed R. Al-Sagher and Dojana M. Rashid
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Fateh University, Tripoli, Libya
JMJ 2007,Vol.7, No.4:271-274
Abstract
This study deals with microbial contamination of repackaging of bulk tablets medications obtained from a manufacturer in consumer-sized carton containers which, involves diverse mechanical handling by human personnel within the same hospitals in Tripoli. Fourteen hospitals in Tripoli city were included in this study, from which different samples were taken during the process of repackaging of tablets inside these hospitals pharmacies and then investigated for microbial contamination. The types of samples used for this study were collected from repackaged tablets, hands of personnel involved in repackaging process, tables on which tablets distributed and repackaged and containers used for repackaging of medications. Twenty four different types of microorganisms were isolated and identified. 19 of which were bacterial isolates and 5 were fungal isolates. The predominant bacterial isolates were Aeromonas spp 18%., Streptococcus feacalis 16% and Micrococcus spp 15%. In contrast, the fungi isolated were Aspergillus niger, 50%, penicillium spp. 25% and Mucor spp. 12.5%. This study draws the attention to why and how microbial contamination of repackaged products occurs, and the consequence of such contamination for the health of the patient, ways to assess microbial contamination, and what preventive steps may be taken to control the problems.
Keywords: Tablets, Packaging, Repackaging, Microbial contamination, Drug contamination
Link/DOI: http://www.jmj.org.ly/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1431