QUALITY CONTROL OF DISTILLED WATER USED FOR RECONSTITUTION OF POWDERS FOR ORAL SUSPENSION IN PHARMACIES ON THE TERRITORY OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Abstract

In this paper, presented are the results of quality control of distilled water used for the reconstitution of powders for oral suspension usually intended for pediatric population. By reviewing the legislation, there is no clearly defined shelf life and storage instruction for this type of water. The conducted analyses confirmed that some pharmacies on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina use technical distilled water (water for accumulators, iron and antifreeze dilution), but also distilled water that does not meet quality requirements prescribed by European Pharmacopoeia. The tested water samples did not have adequately labeled packaging (production time and shelf life). The results showed that out of a total of 10 samples, 2 had conductivity greater than permissible, 3 had an exceeded limit for heavy metals, and 2 of the samples showed the presence of oxidisable substances. Out of all tested samples, only one sample met microbiological criteria for purified water. Based on the results of these analyses, it can be assumed that in many pharmacies around the country, inadequate distilled water is used which could endanger the stability of the pharmaceutical preparation and the safety of the patient. Bearing in mind that antibiotic oral suspensions are prescribed from the age of the infant, and that a large number of children consume these products for a long period due to frequent infections, the question arises as to whether prepared drugs accomplish their purpose and whether pharmacists are sufficiently aware of the importance of the quality of this type of water?