Search Results (77)

The expired drug Detralex (90% diosmin and 10% hesperidin), known as an effective corrosion inhibitor, was adsorbed onto mesoporous silica and incorporated into an epoxy matrix to enhance the coating’s corrosion protection in a highly corrosive 3 wt% NaCl solution. It was found that this treatment, by improving adhesion, modifying the hydrophilic properties, and enabling inhibitor release, increased the coating’s resistance over time. Based on an SEM-EDX analysis, even after 24 h of immersion, the epoxy coating with mesoporous nanosilica adsorbed with diosmin and hesperidin retained the incorporated inhibitors. This resulted in a slight increase in the samples’ polarization resistance during longer exposure. Full article

The corrosion of carbon steel in marine–industrial atmospheric environments remains a significant challenge due to the combined effect of aggressive ions such as chlorides and sulfates. In this context, this study aims to explore the inhibitory action of expired omeprazole applied to mild steel AISI 1018 evaluated on a solution simulating atmospheric corrosion (0.1 M Na₂SO₄ + 3% wt NaCl) over 72 h. The material was characterized using EDS to determine its composition of AISI 1018 steel, while Raman spectroscopy was employed to identify the functional groups and heteroatoms present on the molecular structure of omeprazole. Electrochemical noise (EN) measurements were used to evaluate the corrosion rate, type of corrosion and mechanism. Also, quantum chemical calculations of density function theory (DFT) were performed to predict the relationship between molecular structure and inhibition efficiency. The results indicate that 50 ppm provides the most stable and effective corrosion inhibition over time, as evidenced by increases in noise resistance and inhibition efficiency. In contrast, 75 ppm exhibits improved surface morphology at the end of the exposure period, which indicates enhanced surface coverage. The DFT results reveal that omeprazole possesses suitable electronic properties for corrosion inhibition, including moderate reactivity, electron-donating ability, and favorable charge distribution that promotes adsorption onto the metal surface. SEM analysis corroborates that surface damage is significantly reduced in the presence of the inhibitor, particularly at 75 ppm. This study provides new insights into the use of expired pharmaceutical compounds as corrosion inhibitors and demonstrates the capability of combining electrochemical noise analysis with DFT to evaluate both inhibition efficiency and film stability. Full article

Background/Objectives: The accumulation of unused and expired pharmaceuticals in households is a growing public health concern with implications for patient safety, rational drug use, and environmental health. However, systematic risk characterization integrating clinical and environmental perspectives at the community level remains limited, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. This study aimed to develop and apply a composite risk index, grounded in an eco-pharmacovigilance framework, for the assessment of health risks associated with accumulated household pharmaceuticals in southeastern Mexico. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 526 randomly selected households using stratified sampling. Guided in-home medication inventories were performed with participant collaboration, and pharmaceuticals were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) system. A composite risk index (CRI = Fr × PR) was developed within an eco-pharmacovigilance framework. The frequency of accumulation (Fr) for each therapeutic group was multiplied by a potential risk score (PR) derived through a structured multidisciplinary expert consensus process integrating clinical toxicity, environmental persistence, and antimicrobial resistance potential. Results: A total of 2184 pharmaceutical units were recorded during the household inventories, of which 28.7% were expired. Expired medications were primarily retained rather than actively used, representing a latent risk for inappropriate self-medication and accidental exposure. The therapeutic groups with the highest CRI values were antihypertensives (CRI = 42.3), antidiabetics (CRI = 37.8), and antibiotics (CRI = 31.5), indicating a relatively higher contribution within the composite risk index framework to overall household pharmaceutical risk. These findings highlight priority therapeutic groups driven by the combined effect of high accumulation frequency, distinct accumulation patterns, and intrinsic hazard. Conclusions: Household pharmaceutical accumulation can be characterized using a composite, eco-pharmacovigilance-based approach that integrates exposure and hazard dimensions. The proposed framework functions as a prioritization tool rather than a precise quantitative measure, enabling the identification of therapeutic groups requiring targeted intervention. Findings should be interpreted as indicative of relative risk patterns rather than precise estimates, given the exploratory design and guided data collection approach. The proposed framework provides a practical tool for prioritizing interventions aimed at improving rational drug use, reducing accumulation, and mitigating environmental impact. Further validation in diverse settings is warranted to strengthen its applicability. Full article

Since differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is an excellent method for studying phase transformations in the solid state, the purpose of this study was to assess the suitability of DSC as a method for detecting physicochemical transformations occurring in solid drug products during storage, extending also beyond their expiration date. Based on the DSC measurements of 34 commercial drug products, they were divided into three groups characterized by the fact that the DSC curves show: (I) as dominant endothermic peaks reflecting active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) melting, with no additional peaks from excipients, (II) in addition to the peaks reflecting APIs melting, additional peaks related to the excipients, and (III) two peaks characteristic of lactose monohydrate dehydration and melting. Analysis of the temperature ranges and the shape of the DSC peaks showed no significant differences between the six series of measurements performed between 2011 and 2022, suggesting that physicochemical changes in drug products could not be detected during storage. Only the use of principal component analysis (PCA) made it possible to separate the DSC curves obtained during long-term storage of drug products. This allows DSC to be used to detect the first signs of deterioration, but only for drug formulations in group one. Of the drug products in groups two and three, this is only possible for 14 products. It follows that the suitability of DSC for identifying physicochemical changes in products stored for long periods of time is affected by the API content and complex composition of the tablet matrix. Full article

Background: Fixed-dose combination drugs (FDCs) are combinations of two or more active ingredients in a single dosage form. These formulations have proven effective in combating the development of resistance in diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria. Despite the benefits observed in the aforementioned cases, fixed-dose antibiotics combinations (FDACs) are increasingly raising questions about their rationality. This is the case for several FDACs listed in the AWaRe classification as not recommended, which unfortunately remain available on the pharmaceutical market, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Objectives: To identify the essential medicines available in pharmacies open to the public in the city of Kinshasa and to assess their inclusion in the DRC’s National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM) and in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) List of Essential Medicines (LEM). The rationality of the FDACs circulating in the city of Kinshasa were also evaluated based on the 2023 AWaRe classification. Methods: A cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted between February and October 2025 in Kinshasa. For this purpose, fifty registered pharmacies open to the public were selected by systematic random sampling as the research sample. Data collection consisted of completing a data collection form after we had provided the pharmacies’ owners with the necessary explanations regarding the importance of the study and guaranteed their anonymity. Results: The controlled FDACs encountered comprised 27 specialties across 15 different formulations. Out of 15 formulations, 12 (80%) were included on the WHO list of non-recommended antibiotics and were not included in the DRC’s NLEM nor in the WHO’s LEM. Some had been withdrawn from the market in their countries of manufacture. Of the 15 FDACs evaluated for their rationality and compliance, the injectable FDACs presented problems related to the relevance and completeness of information contained on their packaging. On their primary packaging, there was a significant difference in the expiration dates of the powder and sterile water for injection contained in the combination pack, ranging from 6 to 36 months. Furthermore, the secondary packaging lacked data related to the sterile water for injection contained in the combination pack. In addition, several medications contained the same therapeutic combination. For injectable FDAC, for example, the combination Ceftriaxone-Sulbactam was represented by eight medications. For oral FDACs, the combination Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim was represented by seven medications. Globally, 100% of these drug combinations originated from India. Conclusions: Fifteen varieties of FDACs were available in Kinshasa, most of which (80%) were unsuitable. It is important that public health authorities address this situation and develop stricter guidelines for granting marketing authorizations, particularly for FDACs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Improper medication use, premature treatment discontinuation, and inadequate disposal contribute to irrational drug consumption and environmental contamination. Although pharmaceutical take-back programs have expanded globally, real-world evidence on household medication accumulation in academic and community settings remains limited. This study aimed to describe longitudinal patterns of medication collection during an eleven-year university-based take-back campaign, with detailed pharmacological characterization available for selected post-pandemic years. Methods: Real-world data were analyzed from a sustainable medication take-back campaign conducted annually at the University of Colima between 2015 and 2025. Expired or unused medications were voluntarily returned by students and community members. Total collected weight was recorded for all years, while detailed classification by dosage form, Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) group, and Mexican regulatory fraction (Fractions II, IV, V, and VI) was performed for years with complete records (2023–2025). All materials were disposed of through an authorized hazardous-waste company in compliance with NOM-052-SEMARNAT-2005. Descriptive analyses were performed using SPSS version 29.0. Results: Approximately 3.9 tons of pharmaceutical products were collected over eleven years, reflecting persistent household accumulation of unused or expired medicines. In the years with detailed analysis, oral solid dosage forms predominated. In 2025, ATC groups M, A, and C were most frequently returned, consistent with medications used for chronic conditions. Therapeutic composition varied annually, with NSAIDs/analgesics predominating in 2023–2024 and antibiotics in 2025. Across analyzed years, 5–7% of collected items corresponded to non-medication products. Conclusions: This long-term campaign provides valuable real-world evidence on medication non-use and disposal, highlighting ongoing challenges in rational medicine use, treatment continuity, and environmentally responsible pharmaceutical waste management. Full article

Hyaluronidase and its modified analogs are clinically significant enzyme-based pharmaceuticals used to treat fibrosis, increase tissue permeability, and improve drug diffusion. While pharmacopeial quality control methods are well defined, scientific literature provides limited information about the physicochemical evaluation of such enzyme pharmaceuticals, necessitating a more holistic analytical approach. Commercial pharmaceuticals of hyaluronidase and its modified analog were analyzed using a combination of dynamic light scattering, infrared spectroscopy, and detection of intrinsic radiothermal emission (RTE). Dimensional characteristics were studied using a Zetasizer Nano ZSP (ZetasizerNano ZSP, Malvern Instruments, Malvern, UK) confirmed theoretical diameters of 5–8 nm, consistent with experimental values (6–8 nm). Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) (Agilent Cary 630, Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA) revealed characteristic transmission bands for the modified enzyme at 1464, 1448, 1326, 1158, and 1010 cm⁻¹, confirming structural modification. RTE measurements using a TES-92 detector (TES Electrical Electronic Corp., Taipei, Taiwan) demonstrated a correlation between emission intensity and shelf life: 12.8 ± 0.8 µW/m² for proper shelf-life samples, 8.3 ± 0.8 µW/m² for six-month-expired, and 5.1 ± 1.0 µW/m² for one-year-expired pharmaceuticals. The study offers a promising supplementary tool for pharmaceutical quality control of hyaluronidase-based drugs. Full article

Aim: This study was conducted to determine the drug use behaviors of patients applying to primary healthcare centers and the factors affecting these behaviors. Material and method: This cross-sectional, analytic study included 913 individuals applying to family health centers for various reasons in Kayseri, Türkiye. All subjects completed a questionnaire that asked about sociodemographic characteristics and attitudes towards drug use via the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale and the Adult Health Literacy Scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 913 individuals, comprising 288 (31.5%) men and 625 (68.5%) women, participated in this research. The average age of the participants was 41.79. Of the 913 subjects included, 23% reported that they would wait for recovery from a disease without any treatment attempt, while 53.5% reported that they visited a doctor, and 63.5% reported that they initially consulted a family health center. A total of 38.5% reported that they self-medicated without consulting a doctor. In addition, 79% of the subjects reported that they used medicine without a prescription. Conclusions: It was observed that age, gender, social insurance, educational status, level of health literacy, and presence of chronic diseases affect drug use behaviors. A weak, negative correlation was found between Morisky Medication Adherence scores and health literacy. Additionally, it was determined that only checking the expiration date before using a drug had an impact on drug adherence. Full article

Unsafe disposal of unused and expired antimicrobial drugs increases their presence in the environment, thereby contributing to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. This study addressed the lack of sufficient data on unused and expired antimicrobial disposal practices among peri-urban residents in Ghana. This knowledge–attitude–practice (KAP)-based study offers context-specific insights to inform public health education and antimicrobial disposal policy interventions. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 310 residents in the Ho municipality using a well-structured questionnaire. Data was collected on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of households on how they dispose of unused and leftover antimicrobials. Origin Pro 2022 software was used to analyze the data. Many respondents were males (n = 175, 56.5%) and aged between 18 and 30 years (n = 196, 63.2%). About 87.1% (n = 270) of the respondents agreed that improper disposal of unused antimicrobials could negatively affect the environment. Most of the respondents (71.9%, n = 223) had not received counseling on recommended antimicrobial disposal; 75.5% (n = 234) of respondents were not aware of institutions collecting unused or expired medicines; and 73.5% (n = 228) had never participated in a medicine-return program. Discarding antimicrobials into household trash bins was the most common way of disposal among respondents. The preferred sites to return unused/leftover antimicrobials were community pharmacies and hospitals. Although respondents showed some knowledge and positive attitudes toward safe antimicrobial disposal, further education is needed. Furthermore, most respondents disposed of antimicrobials in household trash, highlighting the need for take-back programs and community pharmacy-based collection. Incorporating disposal guidance into medication counseling and patient information leaflets can enhance awareness and promote appropriate practices. Full article

Acid pickling is a vital stage in metal manufacturing during which the material is susceptible to corrosion if the process is not appropriately managed. Adding green corrosion inhibitors to the acidic solution used is one solution to this critical problem that the industry faces today. This paper examines the application of two organic substances, tea tree essential oil and the expired drug Sinecod, as green corrosion inhibitors for carbon steel in concentrated chlorohydric acid. Corrosion behavior is evaluated using the weight loss method, potentiodynamic polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy for three inhibitor concentrations (1%, 2%, 3%, and 4%) and a Blank sample. SEM analysis was performed for surface analysis. The mechanism of inhibition was also investigated by fitting the electrochemical data to adsorption isotherms such as the Langmuir and the Freundlich models. The optimum concentration proved to be 4% for both substances, with inhibition efficiencies up to 90% in the case of tea tree essential oil and up to 60% in the case of expired Sinecod, showing that the inhibitor concentration and inhibitor efficiency are directly correlated in this case. The findings of this study show the possibility of using expired pharmaceutical compounds or natural extracts as corrosion inhibitors for the concentration of acid solutions used for industrial processing. Full article

Background/Objectives: Drug products on the pharmaceutical market must meet a number of requirements that guarantee their quality, safety, and efficacy. Accordingly, periodic inspection of the content of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in marketed drug products is carried out, confirming that they meet all quality and quantity requirements for a given drug formulation before the expiration date. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the suitability of the most commonly used thermal analysis methods, differential thermal analysis (DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), in the control of the composition of commercially available drug products. Results: Based on a review of the literature, it was shown that thermal methods can be useful in distinguishing drug products from different manufacturers, which guarantees their usefulness in quality control of finished drug products and detecting drug products from illegal manufacturers. They are also useful as tools for confirming the presence of APIs in dosage forms under investigation. The cited literature also indicates that DSC and TGA methods can be used in the quantification of APIs in marketed drug products and to detect non-compliant drug products. The use of chemometric techniques to interpret thermal data can eliminate the adverse effects of excipients on quantification results. Conclusions: Thermal methods are a good complement to chromatographic and spectroscopic methods, with the particular advantages of not needing any sample pretreatment, low sample weight, and short analysis time. Full article

Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major threat to human, animal, and environmental health. To tackle AMR in the livestock sector, there is a need to understand the antimicrobial use (AMU) practices of different stakeholders in order to target the common knowledge gaps and inappropriate practices with tailored interventions. In the Western Balkans, published evidence shows the presence of AMR in both humans and animals. Since studies on AMU have mainly been conducted in humans, there is a significant knowledge gap about AMU in the livestock sector. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of farmers, veterinarians, veterinary pharmacy personnel, and feed mill personnel related to AMU (focusing on antibiotics) and AMR in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo (References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999)), Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Methods: Field interviews were conducted in 2022 with 2815 participants in selected regions of the countries. Results: The findings showed that farmers engaged in imprudent practices, including purchasing antimicrobials without a prescription, administering antimicrobials for growth promotion, and disposing of expired antimicrobials in the garbage. Farmers’ main knowledge gaps were related to the duration of antimicrobial treatment and the differentiation between AMR and antimicrobial residues. This study also revealed poor record-keeping on animal treatments and a lack of some biosecurity measures. In terms of the attitudes and practices of veterinarians and veterinary pharmacy personnel, the belief that antimicrobial drugs are important for growth promotion, and the common use and sales of highest priority critically important antimicrobials should be targets for future interventions. Conclusions: Despite significant ongoing efforts to tackle AMR, there is still a need for training, awareness-raising, and policy interventions to address the knowledge gaps identified by this study and optimize AMU in the livestock sector in the Western Balkans. Full article

Background: Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i), particularly tadalafil and sildenafil, are the first-line therapies for erectile dysfunction (ED). After the patent expiration of branded tadalafil in 2017, generic formulations became available. Despite equivalent efficacy, skepticism persists regarding the effectiveness and safety of generics. The SHIFT study aimed to evaluate the non-inferiority of a generic tadalafil (Dalerpen) compared with branded and other generic tadalafil in terms of clinical efficacy and patient satisfaction. Methods: A prospective, multicenter study was conducted involving 247 patients treated with tadalafil (either 5 mg or 20 mg) for ED. Patients switched from branded or other generic tadalafil to Dalerpen. Baseline and follow-up assessments included the International Index of Erectile Function—Erectile Function Domain (IIEF-EF) (primary endpoint), Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP-2 and SEP-3), and International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS). A one-month follow-up was performed. Results: A total of 247 patients were included in the final analysis. After switching to Dalerpen, significant improvements were observed in both IIEF-EF (18.8 ± 5.6 vs. 16.7 ± 5.4, p < 0.001) and IPSS scores (10.4 ± 6.7 vs. 11.2 ± 6.3, p < 0.001), though the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was not reached. SEP-3 scores also significantly increased (3 ± 1.2 vs. 2 ± 1.1, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified baseline IIEF, IPSS scores, and post-treatment IPSS as predictors of IIEF-EF improvement (p < 0.001). Switching to Dalerpen was an independent predictor of both IIEF-EF and IPSS improvement. No new adverse events were reported. Conclusions: The SHIFT study demonstrates that Dalerpen is non-inferior to branded tadalafil in terms of clinical efficacy, offering a reliable and cost-effective therapeutic option. Educating patients on bioequivalence and addressing concerns regarding generic drugs are essential to facilitate therapeutic switches. Full article

The current paper examines the sustainable possibility for recycling unused or expired Metoprolol (MET), a benzodiazepine derivative, as an effective corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel in saline solutions. Repurposing expired medicinal drugs aligns with green chemistry concepts and supports circular economy initiatives by reducing pharmaceutical waste and averting the production of new synthetic inhibitors. The technical benefit of recycling expired MET drugs pertains to the elimination of costs associated with organic inhibitor manufacturing and the decrease in disposal expenses for the expired medication. A combination of electrochemical techniques (potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) and quantum chemical calculations was employed to evaluate the inhibitory mechanism and efficacy of MET. At a concentration of 10⁻³ M, MET reduced the corrosion current density from 19.38 to 5.97 μA cm⁻², achieving a maximum IE of 69.1%. Adsorption Gibbs free energy, determined using different adsorption isotherms, revealed that interactions between metal atoms and MET adsorbed molecules have a chemical character with a ∆G^o_ads value of −50.7 kJ·mol⁻¹. Furthermore, quantum chemistry calculations indicate that the investigated drug, owing to its molecular structure (E_HOMO = −9.12 eV, E_LUMO = 0.21 eV, µ = 3.95 D), possesses the capacity to establish an adsorption layer on the metal surface, thereby impeding the diffusion of molecules and ions involved in the overall corrosion process. The results obtained using the different techniques were in good agreement and highlighted the effectiveness of MET in the corrosion inhibition of carbon steel. Full article

In recent years, the concept of reusing expired pharmaceuticals as corrosion inhibitors has attracted considerable attention due to the increasing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly solutions. This paper investigates the potential of an expired drug, called Fluimucil, containing N-acetylcysteine (NAC, 300 mg/3 mL), as a green corrosion inhibitor of bronze exposed to 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution and simulated acid rain (pH = 3.4). Potentiodynamic polarization measurements revealed that the drug acted mainly as a cathodic-type inhibitor in both electrolytes. Inhibition efficiency increased with drug concentration, reaching the maximum values of 86.7% in the presence of 36 mM NAC in the saline solution and 90.2% in the presence of 6 mM NAC in simulated acid rain. The anticorrosive effect of the drug was likely due to the adsorption of NAC on the bronze surface, which hindered to some extent the charge transfer reaction and corrosion product formation, thereby offering enhanced protection. Disregarding the nature of the corrosive electrolyte, NAC adsorption on the bronze followed the Langmuir isotherm model, involving a combination of physisorption and chemisorption processes. Surface examination by SEM-EDX confirmed that expired Fluimucil significantly mitigated the surface degradation and the corrosion products on the bronze. Full article