ArticlePloS one2019
Evaluating the quality of antihypertensive drugs in Lagos State, Nigeria.
Article in PloS one, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 12 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
12 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Characterizing Medicine Quality by Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Levels: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis across Low- and Middle-Income Countries.The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene · 2022Pooled it
- Trial
- Exploring factors affecting access to non-communicable disease medicines in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review.BMJ public health · 2026Article
- Effect of tropical climates on the quality of commonly used antibiotics: the protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.BMJ open · 2025Article
- Quality of Essential Medicines from Different Sources in Enugu and Anambra, Nigeria.The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene · 2024Article
- QUALITY OF PRESCRIPTIONS RECEIVED BY PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION ATTENDING A SECONDARY HEALTH FACILITY IN IBADAN, OYO STATE.Annals of Ibadan postgraduate medicine · 2024Article
- The quality of medicines for the prevention and management of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: A systematic review.PLOS global public health · 2024Article
- Evaluation of the effects of a digital health platform on business and medical practices of informal medicine vendors in Lagos, Nigeria.Oxford open digital health · 2024Article
- The quality of medical products for cardiovascular diseases: a gap in global cardiac care.BMJ global health · 2021Article
- Quality and Authenticity of Metformin Tablets Circulating on Japanese Websites.Therapeutic innovation & regulatory science · 2021Article
- A survey of nongovernmental organizations on their use of WHO's prequalification programme.Bulletin of the World Health Organization · 2020Article
- In vitro Comparative Quality Assessment of Different Brands of Furosemide Tablets Marketed in Northwest Ethiopia.Drug design, development and therapy · 2020Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundAs the burden of noncommunicable diseases grows, access to safe medical therapy is increasing in importance. The aim of this study was to develop a method for evaluating the quality of antihypertensive drugs and to examine whether this prevalence varies by socioeconomic variables.
methodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of registered pharmacies in 6 local government areas (LGAs) in Lagos State, Nigeria. In each LGA, we sampled 17 pharmacies from a list of all registered pharmacies derived from the Pharmacists Council of Nigeria. We assessed drug quality based on (1) the level of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), which identified falsely labeled drug samples; and (2) the amount of impurities, which revealed substandard drug samples in accordance with the international pharmacopoeia guidelines. Good-quality drugs met specifications for both API and impurity.
resultsOf the 102 drug samples collected, 30 (29.3%) were falsely labeled, 76 (74.5%) were substandard,78 (76.5%) were of poor quality and 24 (23.5%) were of good quality.Among the falsely labeled drugs, 2 samples met standards set for purity while 28 did not. Among the 76 substandard drug samples, 28 were also falsely labeled. Of the falsely labeled drugs, 17 (56.7%) came from LGAs with low socioeconomic status, and 40 (52.6%) of the substandard drug samples came from LGAs with high socioeconomic status. Most of the good-quality drug samples, 14 (58.3%), were from LGAs with low socioeconomic status. Eighteen (60%) of the falsely labeled samples, 37 (48.7%) of the substandard samples, and 15 (62.5%) of the good-quality drug samples were from manufacturers based in Asia. The average price was 375.67 Nigerian naira (NGN) for falsely labeled drugs, 383.33 NGN for substandard drugs, and 375.67 NGN for good-quality drugs. The prevalence of falsely labeled and substandard drug samples did not differ by LGA-level socioeconomic status (P = .39) or region of manufacturer (P = .24); however, there was a trend for a difference by price (P = .06).
conclusionThe prevalence of falsely labeled and substandard drug samples was high in Lagos. Treatment of noncommunicable diseases in this setting will require efforts to monitor and assure drug quality.
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