Quality evaluation of antimalarial drugs used in Djibouti: A study of Quinine, Primaquine, Artesunate, and Coartem formulations

Malaria remains a significant public health challenge in Djibouti, with cases rising in recent years. The quality of antimalarial drugs, particularly those imported from countries with less stringent regulatory frameworks, is a critical concern. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of commonly used antimalarial drugs in Djibouti, including quinine, primaquine, artesunate, and Coartem. A series of analytical techniques, such as thin-layer chromatography (TLC), spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), were employed to assess the composition, purity, and dosage accuracy of these medications. The findings revealed that some samples contained impurities and the content of active pharmaceutical ingredients often deviated from the labelled amounts. Specifically, quinine tablets were found to be 29% underdosed compared with the labelled 300 mg, with an actual content of 212.69 mg per tablet. In the LC-MS analysis, besides the active ingredients listed on the labels, derivatives such as dihydroquinine and artemisinin were identified. These discrepancies compared with the labels may be attributed to these medicines’ production and/or storage conditions. Keywords: Analysis; Antibiotic; Djibouti; HPLC; spectrophotometer; TLC