Comparative quality evaluation of paracetamol tablet marketed in Somali region of Ethiopia

The safety and efficacy of a pharmaceutical dosage form can be guaranteed when its quality is reliable. The efficacy of pharmaceutical dosage forms generally depends on their formulation properties, and manufacturing methods, hence it is likely that the quality of dosage form may vary. The aim was to evaluate the quality of paracetamol tablet marketed in Somali region of Ethiopia. The study was exclusively experimental that used BP, USP and other standard books to check the in vitro quality of Paracetamol tablet using different analytical techniques and procedure. Test for weight variation, friability, disintegration time, identification test and assay were conducted. All of the brands under the study were within the specification for weight variation test. But from the contraband brands, two for friability, one for disintegration and all for percentage content paracetamol failed to satisfy the requirement though all of the products contain the wright active ingredients. The research has showed that the quality of contraband tablets were below the standard in contrast to the legal paracetamol tablet which is hazardous to the community. The regulatory body must work to stop illegal smuggling of medications.