DETERMINATION OF ACID NEUTRALIZING CAPACITY (ANC) AND PHARMACOECONOMIC EVALUATION OF SELECTED BRANDS OF ANTACID TABLETS MARKETED IN KANO METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Abstract

Antacids are substances that neutralize stomach acidity; they are typically salts or basic bases. They are usually simple medications that have the unique property of neutralizing the acid in the stomach and reducing the acidity of the stomach contents. They have been used as the mainstay of treatment for gastritis, functional dyspepsia, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and peptic ulcers. Pharmacoeconomic analysis can assist in identifying products that offer the best value for money by comparing the costs and results of various antacid tablet brands. This study has been carried out with the objective of evaluating the acid neutralizing capacity and pharmacoeconomic studies of selected brands of antacid tablets marketed in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria. The assessment parameters are by acid neutralizing capacity using titrimetric method and cost-effectiveness analysis. The study revealed that all the brands have passed the USP (2024) criteria of having an Acid-Neutralizing Capacity (ANC) of ≥ 5 mEq per dose. The acid neutralizing capacity of the brands were in the order MS1 > MS3 > MS2 > MS4 > MS5. The most cost-effective brand is MS1 because it neutralized gastric acid more and at lower cost while least cost-effective brand is MS5 because it has the lowest ANC and neutralizes acid at high cost than any other brand. It can be concluded that the antacid brand MS1 has the highest ANC making it more potent, while the MS5 has the lowest ANC making it less potent.