Pharmacopoeia and National Formulary Overview

British Pharmacopoeia (BP)

• Most widely used pharmacopoeia globally
• Responsibility lies with the General Medical Council (GMC) since 1858
• Contains complete drug monographs
• Focuses on quality control and assurance for pharmaceutical production
• Includes quality control tests for various dosage forms
• Provides identification and analytical tests for drugs

British National Formulary (BNF)

• National formulary for medicines in the United Kingdom
• Co-supervised by the GMC and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
• Used for registration examinations in the UAE and the UK
• Provides information on clinical and pharmacological aspects of drugs
• Includes details on prescription policies, refilling, and prescription handling

British Pharmacopoeia Codex

• First published in 1903 by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
• Designed for medical practitioners and dispensing pharmacists
• Covers dispensing methods for different types of medicines
• Includes dispensing techniques like unit dose and multi-dose dispensing
• Offers a comprehensive understanding of pharmacological aspects of drugs

Ibn-Zuhar (1162-1249)

• Pioneered modern anesthesiology by describing the use of inhaled anesthetics
• Made notable contributions to neuropharmacology, including clinical, neuro, cardio, cancer, reproduction, medical, and toxicology branches.
• Authored an early pharmacopoeia printed in 1491

Abu Ali Sina (980-1037)

• Renowned physician, chemist, and astronomer
• Wrote over 450 treatises on various scientific subjects, including 40 on medicine
• "The Canon of Medicine" was used extensively as a medical textbook
• First to describe the diagnosis procedure in detail
• Classified various psychiatric diseases like depression, mania, insomnia, and dementia
• Provided detailed descriptions of paralysis
• Identified risk factors for clinical trials
• First to describe steam distillation

Al Biruni (973-1050)

• Prominent pharmacist, physician, and geologist
• Contributed to the development and advancement of pharmacy
• His work included the concept of osmotic pressure, which prevents osmosis
• Established that body fluids like blood and tears have an osmotic pressure equivalent to a 0.9% NaCl solution

Isotonic Solutions

• Described as solutions with equal osmotic pressure and ion concentrations to their comparative solution
• Isotonic to body fluids, which is equivalent to a 0.9% NaCl solution
• Help balance electrolytes and maintain physiological conditions
• Applications in physiological experiments, tissue culture, and wound flushing
• Used intravenously for patients unable to take fluids orally
• Useful for nasal washes to relieve common cold symptoms

Hypotonic Solutions

• Solutions with lower osmotic pressure than body fluids
• Can cause hemolysis of red blood cells upon being added to the body's system

Hypertonic Solutions

• Solutions with higher osmotic pressure than body fluids
• Have a drawing effect on water from body tissues
• Can cause shrinkage of body tissues and complications

Liniments

• Alcoholic or oleaginous preparations of medications intended for external use on the skin
• Available in liquid or semi-liquid forms
• Can be utilized as solutions, suspensions, or emulsions
• Used for their rubefacient action, irritant effects, and counter-irritant properties
• Penetrate the skin for therapeutic benefit

Vehicle Types for Liniments

• Alcoholic or hydro-alcoholic vehicles are preferred for rubefacient, counter-irritant, and penetrating actions
• Oleaginous vehicles are used when massage is desired as they are less irritating

Liniment Precautions

• Should not be applied to broken skin due to potential irritation
• Storage: Tightly closed containers labeled “For external use only” and “Shake the bottle well before use”

Aerosols

• Pressurized dosage forms containing one or more active ingredients
• Release a fine dispersion of solid and liquid particles upon actuation
• Consist of: Propellant, Container, Valve assembly and actuator, Product concentrate

Propellants

• Create pressure within the container and propel the product
• Examples: Butane, isobutane, chlorofluorocarbons (difluoroethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane)

Containers

• Materials commonly used: Tin plate, aluminum, stainless steel, glass

Effervescent Tablets

• Contain sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, and tartaric acid in addition to active medications
• React with water to release carbon dioxide, producing effervescence and tablet disintegration
• Examples: Disprin, Cac 1000

Chewable Tablets

• Designed to be broken and chewed before ingestion
• Suitable for children and adults who have difficulty swallowing
• Examples: Antacids, multivitamin tablets

Sustained Release Tablets

• Prolong the duration of drug action after oral administration
• Examples: Dicloran, Voltral

Tablet Formulation

• Generally consist of active ingredients mixed with inert substances called excipients or additives

Excipient Functions

• Diluents: Increase tablet bulk
• Binders: Hold tablet ingredients together
• Disintegrating agents: Aid in tablet breakdown in the gastrointestinal tract
• Lubricants: Prevent tablet sticking to equipment during production
• Coloring agents: Enhance tablet appearance
• Flavoring agents: Improve tablet palatability
• Sweetening agents: Improve tablet taste
• Preservatives: Extend shelf life

Tablet Preparation Methods

• Direct compression
• Dry granulation/Slugging
• Wet granulation

Tablet Coating

• Deposition of a material on tablets to modify their properties

Objectives of Tablet Coating

• Improved appearance, taste, and stability
• Protection from environmental factors like air and humidity

This quiz covers key elements of the British Pharmacopoeia, British National Formulary, and British Pharmacopoeia Codex. Explore the responsibilities, contents, and significance of these essential pharmaceutical resources in quality control and medical practice.