Original Articles: 2013 Vol: 5 Issue: 9
Evaluation of vitamin and mineral tablets and capsules in Yemen market
Abstract
Vitamin and mineral tablets or capsules are the most common supplement provide without prescriptions. The goal of this study was to review label information and investigate the disintegration properties of tablets and capsules commercially available at Yemen market. The labels were examined for product-related information. The first disintegration test stage was performed using Simulated Intestinal Fluid pH 6.8 for 20 minutes. Products did not disintegrate were further investigated using pharmacopeia disintegration conditions for dietary supplements. The results show that provided label information in tested supplements was difficult to understand and in some cases pseudo-scientific. Drug Identification Number was found in nine out of eleven tablets and twenty seven out fifty capsules only. Four out of eleven tablets and eighteen out of fifty capsules did not disintegrate within 20 minutes. By using pharmacopeal disintegration conditions for dietary supplements, three out of four tablet brands did not fully disintegrate and eight out of nineteen capsules brands passed the test. Industries should give an exact label recommendations and essential information to allow the consumers to make an informed decision on their products rather than using pseudo-scientific terms. Type packaging, storage and number of ingredients my effect disintegration. So continuous inspection are recommended.