Comparative In Vitro Quality Evaluation of Different Brands of Ibuprofen Tablets Marketed in Mekelle, Ethiopia

Abstract Objective: Quality of pharmaceutical products is required to guarantee their safety and efficacy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical quality attributes of different brands of ibuprofen tablets marketed in Mekelle, Ethiopia. The methods stated in the British Pharmacopeia were adopted for weight uniformity, hardness, friability, disintegration test and assay of drug content. Dissolution test was also carried out as stated in the United States Pharmacopeia. To compare dissolution profile, statistical analysis of drug release at different time points were employed. Results: All the brands were found with acceptable pharmacopeial specifications for weight uniformity, friability, hardness, assay of drug content and dissolution test. Six brands fulfilled the pharmacopeial requirements of disintegration test while one brand failed to disintegrate as per the BP specification. However, there were statistically significant difference in weight, hardness, disintegration, dissolution and amount of drug content among the tested samples. Thus, from this study we can conclude that all the products fulfilled the required quality evaluation parameters as stipulated in pharmacopeias except one brand which failed the disintegration test. However, the in vitro dissolution profile indicated that there may be a potential bio-in equivalence among the pharmaceutical products.