Impact of supply chain on some tablet properties of six brands of glibenclamide marketed in Jos metropolis

Drugs are important commodities that must be handled differently from other goods. Therefore, supply chain of drugs must be monitored until it gets to the patient to maintain therapeutic efficacy. Drug properties are compromised when stipulated storage conditions are not maintained over time, and this can result in a poor therapeutic outcome. This is more impactful for glibenclamide tablets, which many diabetic patients preferentially use because of its cost-effectiveness and availability. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of supply chain on tablet properties of six glibenclamide tablet brands marketed in Jos metropolis. Glibenclamide tablets obtained from hospital and community pharmacies, and patent medicine outlets, were subjected to quality control tests such as content uniformity, friability, crushing strength, disintegration time, and dissolution test. The results were analyzed using ANOVA, fit factors (f1 and f2 ) and dissolution efficiency (DE). The results showed that all the brands passed weight uniformity, friability and disintegration tests. The ANOVA showed significant difference between the release profiles of the brands. Brands from patent medicine outlet had lower content values compared to brands from pharmacies (A1 /A3 - 102/98%; E1 /E3 - 124/108%). Brands E3 from patent vendor outlet failed f1 and f2 limits (15.3/47.9) while brands E1 and F1 from community pharmacies failed f1 , f2 and DE limits (23.6/39.4/5.91 and 17.2/46.1/8.35) respectively. Brands from hospital pharmacies showed no adverse parameters. In conclusion, private commercial enterprises engaged in drug retail may have to be monitored closely to ensure drug quality and hence public health care.Keywords: Tablet properties; Glibenclamide; Supply chain; Jos ________________________________________________