Microbial Quality Assessment of Marketed Paracetamol Syrups in Kabul, Afghanistan

Mohammad Aman Bahaduri; Sayed Modaser Habibi; Mohammad Omar Oryakhil

doi:10.62810/jnsr.v4i3.519

Authors

Mohammad Aman Bahaduri Kabul University, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kabul, Afghanistan
Sayed Modaser Habibi Kabul University, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kabul, Afghanistan
Mohammad Omar Oryakhil Kabul University, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kabul, Afghanistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62810/jnsr.v4i3.519

Keywords:

Kabul market, Microbial contamination, Paracetamol syrup, Pharmaceutical quality, TAMC, TYMC

Abstract

Paracetamol syrup is widely used in pediatric care as an antipyretic and analgesic. Microbial contamination of pharmaceutical dosage forms poses significant risks to patient safety. This cross-sectional study included 60 paracetamol syrup samples representing 22 brands available in the Kabul market, including 36 domestic and 24 imported products. We performed microbiological assessments, including colony counts, identification of bacterial and fungal isolates, and screening for prohibited pathogenic microorganisms, according to WHO standards. Microbial quality evaluation demonstrated contamination rates of 44% in domestic samples and 33% in imported samples. Among the contaminated samples, the microbial load ranged from 910 to 2497 CFU/mL. The lowest contamination levels were documented in company I (domestic) and company B (imported). Predominant isolates included Corynebacterium spp. (20%), Bacillus spp. (10%), and yeasts (10%), with fungal contamination limited to company S. Although most samples complied with Pharmacopeial limits, the presence of highly contaminated brands available in the Kabul market indicates gaps in GMP adherence, raw material quality control, and storage practices. Strengthened regulatory oversight and routine quality monitoring are essential to ensure the microbiological safety of liquid pharmaceutical preparations.

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