ASSESSING THE INTEGRITY OF ASPIRIN TABLETS IN THE NEPALESE MARKET

Abstract

Aspirin remains one of the most widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain relief, cardiovascular protection, and antipyretic applications. However, the therapeutic efficacy and patient safety strongly depend on the quality and integrity of marketed formulations. This study aimed to evaluate the integrity of aspirin tablets available in the Nepalese pharmaceutical market by assessing their physical, chemical, and pharmacopoeial quality parameters. Samples were collected from multiple local pharmacies and tested for weight variation, hardness, friability, disintegration time, and dissolution profile. Chemical assay and purity tests were performed to determine the actual content of acetylsalicylic acid and the presence of degradation products such as salicylic acid. The findings revealed that while most samples complied with pharmacopeial standards, a few batches demonstrated inconsistencies in hardness and assay values, suggesting variability in manufacturing quality. These results highlight the importance of routine post-market surveillance to ensure consistent product quality, safeguard therapeutic efficacy, and maintain patient safety in Nepal’s pharmaceutical supply chain.