Abstract

BIANCHIN, Mariana Domingues; BLATT, Carine Raquel; SOARES, Alessandra de Sá  and  KULKAMP-GUERREIRO, Irene Clemes. Evaluation of the quality of propranolol and enalapril tablets supplied in the public health system in a southern Brazilian city. Ciênc. saúde coletiva [online]. 2012, vol.17, n.2, pp. 491-498. ISSN 1413-8123.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81232012000200022.

The acquisition of medication by the Brazilian public health service through bidding processes based on the lowest price criterion is a source of concern with respect to the quality of the products offered to the population. The scope of this work was to evaluate the quality of Enalapril 10 mg and Propranolol 40 mg tablets bought via the bidding process and supplied by the public health system in a city in the state of Santa Catarina, Brasil, over the course of a year. The visual aspect, weight variation, friability, drug content and dissolving time were analyzed. Out of seven lots, five presented quality deviation. Irregularities were found in the visual aspect, weight variation, friability and active ingredient. The evaluation of the quality of medication, besides ensuring the quality of the products supplied by the health system and safe usage by patients, is also a tool to evaluate medical supply companies and ensure the enhancement of the bidding process. The implementation of a management system that includes the evaluation of medical supply companies, improvement of the bidding process with clear specifications about the quality of the medicines bought are all recommended to ensure product safety.

Keywords : Quality control; Acquisition; Medication.