ABSTRACT

Objective: The Aid Progress Pharmacist Agreement (A.P.P.A.®) project, a program of International Health Cooperation, is the result of collaboration between the University of Turin and Community Pharmacists in order to set up galenic laboratories in medical facilities located in developing Countries. In the laboratory established in Haiti at the Saint Damien Hospital, given the low availability of paediatric medicines, it was necessary to study and then introduce several specific galenic formulas.

Methods: The main active principles were identified in agreement with local medical doctors taking into account World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines and cost– benefit relationships. Then, a formulative study was launched preferring liquid pharmaceutical forms, more suitable for children. For each preparation, absorption spectrophotometry in the visible and ultraviolet spectra was applied to test the formulas’ quality and stability, respectively, in accordance with the European Pharmacopeia and European Medicines Agency guidelines.

Results: All formulations have proved to be stable in ‘Refrigerated’ conditions (T = 5°C ± 3°C) and in ‘Standard’ conditions (T = 25°C ± 2°C, RH: 60% ± 5%) for 12 months, and in ‘Accelerated’ conditions (T = 40°C ± 2°C, RH: 60% ± 5%) for 3 months.

Conclusion: The galenics are made at the lab in Haiti according to specific standard procedures and they are used to treat patients. The process is constantly checked.