COMPARATIVE IN-VITRO EVALUATION OF METFORMIN HCl AND PARACETAMOL TABLETS COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE IN KANDY DISTRICT, SRI LANKA

Objective : Availability of numerous brands of tablets with price variations compared to their generic drugs in the current drug market places health practitioners, pharmacists and patients in a dilemma of generic substitution. In such background, this study was aimed to compare the in-vitro efficacy of some of the low priced generic tablets with their brands commonly available in Sri Lanka. Methods : A survey of the prices of commonly used tablets and capsules available at pharmacies in Kandy area in Sri Lanka was carried out. Based on the results of the survey, frequently used two tablets; Metformin HCl (one locally manufactured generic (M1) and 3 brands M2-M4) and Paracetamol (one locally manufactured generic (P1) and two brands P2-P3) were selected for the study. All the products were examined visually for their organoleptic properties and tested for uniformity of weight, disintegration time, assay value, dissolution rate, hardness or crushing strength and friability. Pertinent official guidelines were followed throughout all the tests. Results : The results of aesthetic assessment showed no sign of defects and all the tested tablets complied with the official standards for the above parameters. Despite some minor differences in tablet hardness and disintegration time profiles, other in-vitro characteristics of the tested brands; Paracetamol and Metformin HCl and their locally manufactured generics appears to be similar and not significantly different from each other. Conclusion : According to in-vitro official quality control tests, all the generics and brands of the respective drugs tested could be regarded as equally effective.