Quality assessment of praziquantel tablets sold in medicine stores in Kano Metropolis

The efficacy, availability, tolerable side effects and relative affordability of praziquantel makes it the drug of choice in the treatment and various control programmes of schistosomiasis in the endemic areas with excellent outcomes. However, there are reports of low cure rate with praziquantel observed by clinicians with various speculations on the likely causes. This study explored poor drug quality as a possible cause of praziquantel treatment failure in schistosomiasis. On the spot sampling of twelve different samples of praziquantel tablets from various patent medicine shops in Kano metropolis were assayed for active ingredient using British Pharmacopeia methods. Only 6 out of 12 (50%) of the praziquantel tablets studied were found to be acceptable of quality. Cost and number of months before expiry date were not found to be significantly associated with the quality of the drug. Poor quality praziquantel currently in the market may possibly explain failure of standard dose of the drug in the treatment of schistosomiasis. Therefore, it is recommended that additional vigilance by regulatory agencies is required to ensure quality drugs in the market.Keywords: Efficacy, Kano, praziquantel, quality, schistosomiasis