RESEACH REPORT

TITLE

PREVALENCE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH FUNGAL CONTAMINATION OF

CONTAINER PACKED CAPSULE AND TABLETS AT THE TIME OF DISPESING IN
ACCREDITED DRUG DISPENSING OUTLESTS IN MWANZA REGON.

STUDENT NAME:
REGISTRATION NUMBER:

Katundu K. Anitha
CUHAS /BP/3000079/T.12

ABSTRACT
Microbial contamination of drugs used for prevention and treatment of human diseases at
dispensing point, may result in a serious health hazard following ingestion of highly
contaminated drug by patient.
The main objective was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with fungal
contamination of container packed capsules and tablets at the time of dispensing in accredited
drug dispensing outlets (ADDO) shops in Mwanza Region.
It was a cross sectional study involving 30 ADDO shops selected randomly from Nyamagana
and Ilemela Districts. From each ADDO shop five different types of medicine represented by
(Mebendazole tabs, Vitamin B- Complex caps, Paracetamol tabs, folic acid tabs and
Indomethacin capsules) were collected randomly from their packs. Samples were transported in
the sterile container to microbiology laboratory for microbial analysis following the standard
operating procedures. Data was analyzed using the STATA version 11 computer packages.
Results showed that the prevalence of contamination was 23.33%
(7/30).The contaminated medicine was mebendazole tabs by 63%, followed
by folic acid tabs 25% and lastly indomethacin caps 12%.
The common fungi detected to contaminate the medicine in the selected
ADDO shops in mwanza Region included Aspergillus fumigatus 6(75%),
Aspergillus flavus1(12.5%) and Candida tropicals 1(12.5%)

Risk factors found to associate with fungal contamination were: distance of the ADDO shops
from the main road, presence of dust in the shelves, presence of air condition/ fans, presence of
dispensing tools since the p value was found to be > 0.05
Since this study has revealed fungal contamination prevalence of 23.33% and the contaminants
being Aspergillus and Candida species, and both species are opportunistic pathogens therefore
their presence in such pharmaceutical formulation may represent health hazards to already ill and
immuno compromised patients.
Therefore the dispensers in ADDO shops should observe strict hygienic rules to reduce or
eliminate contamination in container packed capsules and tablets given to patients.

INTRODUCTION.
Microbial contamination of drugs used for prevention and treatment of human diseases at
dispensing point, may result in a serious health hazard following ingestion of highly
contaminated drug by patient (1)
Fungus of different species is among the microbial reported to contaminate the drug (2)
In Tanzania, majority of drugs are mainly represented by tablets and capsules. There are
circumstances were drugs are supplied in bulk containers, with the prescribed quantity of drugs
being taken from the containers (1:8)
Therefore this study has investigated fungal contamination of container packed capsules and
tablets at the time of dispensing at accredited drug dispensing outlets in Mwanza Region.

METHODOLOGY.
It was a cross section study involving 30 ADDO shops selected randomly from Nyamagana and
Ilemela District, from each ADDO Shop five different type of drugs represented by
(mebendazole tabs, Vitamin B Complex tabs, paracetamol tabs, folic acid tabs and indomethacin
capsule) were collected randomly from their packs, samples were transported in the sterile
container to microbiology laboratory for microbial analysis following the standard operating
procedures.
Data was analyzed using the STATA version 11 computer packages.

RESULTS.
The results showed that the prevalence of contamination was 23.33% (7/30), the most
contaminated drug was mebendazole tabs by (63%), Followed by folic acid tabs (25%) and lastly
indomethacin caps ( 12%). The fungal contaminants isolated were Aspergillus fumigatus in
which contamination was 75%, Aspergillus flavus 12.5% and Candida tropicalis 12.5%.

Factors like distance of ADDO shop from the main road, presence of dust in the shelves,
presence of air condition/ fans and availability of dispensing tools showed association with
fungal contamination in container packed capsules and tablets during the time of dispensing
since the p value was found to > 0.05.
Other factors like doors left opened during dispensing, use of dispensing tools did not show any
association with fungal contamination since the p values were found to be < 0.05.

Figure 1 % distribution of the contaminated medicine.

Proportio
n

Figure 2 Fungal contaminants isolated from the medicine

CONSLUSION.
The study has revealed a fungal contamination prevalence of 23.33% in tablets and capsules
dispensed to patient through ADDO Shops in Mwanza Region. Contaminants being Aspergillus
and Candida species, since these are opportunistic pathogens thus their presence in such
pharmaceutical formulation may represent serious hazard to already ill and immune
compromised patients.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
The drug dispensers in ADDO Shop should observe strict hygienic rules to reduce or eliminate
contamination of the container packed capsule and tables given to patient.
REFERENCES
1. Mugoyela V, Mwambete KD. Microbial Contamination of non strerile Pharmaceuticals
in Public hospital settings. Therapeutics and clinical Management. 6:443- 448, 2010
2.

Obi and Nwannunu (2010), Microbiological Analyses of Drug Tablets from selected
Outlets in Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria, Research Journal of Pharmacology 4 (2):31-37

8. Carstersen JT, Rhodes CT, editors. Drug Stability: Principles and Practices. 3rd ed. New
York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2000.