Quality evaluation of oxytetracycline injection and water soluble powder veterinary products marketed in Nairobi City, Kenya

The antibiotic oxytetracycline is extensively applied in veterinary medicine indiverse formulations including injectable solution, water soluble powder andwound sprays. The drug is liable to degradation during processing and shelf life,which may compromise its quality attributes. A survey on the quality ofoxytetracycline injection and water soluble powder products available inagroveterinary (agrovet) and pharmacy stores in Nairobi city, Kenya wascarried out. Thirteen injectable and 11 water soluble powder samples weresubjected to British Pharmacopoeia and United States Pharmacopeia qualityspecifications. Whereas all the injections complied with assay specifications, onlythree complied with colour of solution and none complied with pH specification.Furthermore, all water soluble powder samples failed the pH test, while two didnot comply with assay specifications. The results obtained demonstrate theexistence of substandard oxytetracycline products in the study area. Properadherence to good manufacturing and distribution practices as well as postmarket surveillance studies are required to ensure optimal quality of veterinarydrugs in the market.