Evaluation of the Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance of Selected Veterinary Medicines at the National Health Laboratory of Mali

Abstract

Background and objectives: Livestock play a pivotal role in Mali’s economy, contributing approximately 15% to GDP and supporting the livelihoods of over 30% of the population. However, the proliferation of substandard and falsified veterinary medicines undermines animal health, productivity, and food security while increasing risks of antimicrobial resistance and drug residues. This study evaluated the pharmaceutical quality of 50 veterinary medicine samples (mainly ivermectin injectables and albendazole boluses/tablets) collected from four regions in Mali.

Methods: Samples underwent organoleptic evaluation, packaging inspection, pH determination, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), UV-Vis spectrophotometry, HPLC and other pharmacopoeial tests per USP and BP standards.

Results: Of the 50 samples, 40 complied with specifications, while 10 were non-compliant, due to a total absence of active ingredient but also to under-dosing of the active ingredient (API) and identification failures. Non-compliance was highest in Bamako (6 cases) the majority of which came from France, which was also the largest country of origin of the products. Many non-compliant products were unregistered.

Conclusion: These findings highlight the urgent need to strengthen pre- and post-marketing surveillance of veterinary medicines in Mali, similar to measures for human pharmaceuticals, to safeguard animal health, public health, and livestock productivity.