Assessment of impediments to competition in the pharmaceutical sector in Jamaica : supplementary volume; comparative in vitro dissolution and biopharmaceutical properties of some multi-source antihypertensive drug products marketed in Jamaica

Abstract

A study has been done on the biopharmaceutical properties of antihypertensive drug products marketed in Jamaica. Four pharmacological classes of antihypertensive drugs were selected: Beta blocker (Atenolol), Angiotensine Converting Enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), Diuretics and Central Alpha Blocker (Methyldopa). Products were tested for uniformity of weight, content of active ingredients (assay) and dissolution rates, following the British Pharmacopoeia/USP procedures. It was observed that products contained the required level of active ingredients. However, some products make the active ingredient available for absorption faster and to a greater extend than others. Results generally suggest that more than company reputation and cost is required for making rational decisions on drug product selection.