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Metformin, a widely used antihyperglycemic drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The usage of this therapeutic drug has become more common as the frequency of diabetes mellitus metabolic disorder is high worldwide especially in India. Improper disposal of the expired drug is creating a huge impact in the environment as well as financial prudence for the country. UV-visible spectrophotometry is one of the simple and accurate method for the apposite validation of drug. Our aim is to evaluate and compare the expired and extant metformin drug by UV-visible spectrophotometry. We observed the absorption maxima at 233nm and the resolution of the analyte peak is highly specific for metformin drug. The calibration curve with different concentration of both expired and extant drugs was found to be linear. The repeated interday and intraday measurements of both the drug at 10 ppm concentration were extremely precise and the percentage recovery was accurate by zero order spectroscopy. The drug solution was stable at different time points and the robustness during all variations was not much affected for both the expired and extant metformin drug. We observed the system suitability is satisfactory and fulfilled all the parameters of method validation. The detection and quantification limit of both the drugs was found to be the lowest concentration about 1ppm as an exact value. Our results conclude that there is no significant variation in all the method validation parameters between the 10 years expired and extant metformin drug. This will be helpful to avoid wastage or disposal of enormous expired metformin drug and to reconsider the extension of expiry date by pharmaceutical companies with proper approval of the organizations.

Background: Infertility is the most common problem in recent times. Primary infertility is the main concern in infertile couples. Different groups of pharmacological agents are available in the market to induce ovulation. Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this retrospective analysis of cost variation in ovulation inducing agents is to compare the cost-analysis of various ovulation induction agents which are used in infertility patients. Materials and Methods: To review the price list of ovulation induction agents, the current index of medical stores April 2018 and online sources were used as an information guide. Results: The cost of 11 drugs were analyzed, which were manufactured by different pharmaceutical companies in different doses and formulations in Indian market. Table 1 shows the variation in price of parenteral ovulation induction agents. The cost variation is higher in human menopausal gonadotropin 150 IU (206.76), cetrorelix 0.25 mg (190.43) followed by chorionic gonadotropin 2000 IU (181.25). Table 2 shows the variation in price of oral ovulation induction agents. The cost variation is more in Letrozole 2.5 mg (6566.66) followed by clomifene 50 mg (217.65). Conclusion: There are ample differences in the cost of different brands of ovulation inducing agents available in India. All agents have significant role in the management of infertility. The clinicians prescribing these drugs should have awareness of these cost variations, so as to reduce the cost of drug therapy and increase patient adherence to the therapy.

Objective: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a most common metabolic disorder. The present study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety among metformin with sitagliptin, metformin with voglibose, and metformin with glimepiride in patients with type 2 DM. Methods: This study was a prospective, randomized clinical trial study, conducted in patients attending the diabetology outpatient department of SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Center, Potheri, Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, from January 2013 to January 2014. The patients were randomized into three groups with 40 patients in each group. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2 hrs postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level were assessed in all the patients before starting the treatment. In Group I, patients were prescribed metformin 500 mg with sitagliptin 50 mg, in Group II, patients were given metformin 500 mg with voglibose 0.2 mg, and in Group III, patients were put on metformin 500 mg with glimepiride 1 mg in the fixed combination. The outcome of the therapy was based on the level of improvement in the blood parameters. Results: There was a significant reduction of FPG level seen in all three groups (p value - Group I

Objective: The aim of this study was to carry out adverse drug reactions (ADRs) monitoring in various departments of a tertiary care teaching hospital.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on ADRs reported in the hospital from December 2012 to May 2013 after obtaining InstitutionalEthics Committee approval.Results: A total of 40 ADRs were reported, 47.50% were males and 52.50% were females. The female adult population was 45%. The majority of ADRswere due to antimicrobial agents especially beta-lactam antibiotics (42.5%) followed by NSAIDs (7.50%). A maximum number of patients (75%)were reported with dermatological manifestations. The department of medicine reported the highest number of ADRs (37.5%). As per Naranjo’sprobability scale, 62.5% reports were assessed as probable. 62.5% reports were documented as mild according to Modified Hartwig’s criteria forseverity assessment.Conclusion: This study was done to sensitize the practicing physicians on the importance of adverse drug monitoring and reporting.Keywords: Pharmacovigilance, Adverse drug reactions, Tertiary care teaching hospital, Antimicrobial agents.