Author(s)

Erick Ntambwe Kamangu¹, Jérémie K. Mbinze^2,3, Arnold M. Mingu³, Jacquie B. Bolavie⁴, Georges Lelo Mvumbi¹, Richard Lunganza Kalala¹, Gauthier Kahunu Mesia⁵, Mariano Lusakibanza⁵, Jean Mavar³, Roland D. Marini^2*

¹Laboratory of Molecular Biochemistry, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
²Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, CIRM, Department of Pharmacy, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
²Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, CIRM, Department of Pharmacy, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
³Laboratory of Analytical Pharmaceutical, Department of Galenic and Drugs Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
⁴Laboratory Service, Institute of Research in Science of Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
⁵Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Faculties of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Background: Antiretrovirals (ARVs) are the molecules used in the fight against infection by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Their main objective is to stop the virus from replicating and thus allow the immune system to recover. In 2001, the program to fight against HIV/AIDS United Nations (UNAIDS) and its partners has decided to strengthen the pharmaceutical channel and improve access to good quality care. Thus ARV quality control is recommended. Objective: The objective of this work was to monitor the quality of ARVs distributed in Kinshasa. Methodology: In this work, UV-visible spectrophotometry is used for the analysis of ARVs presented in simple form distributed in the city of Kinshasa. Results: The results of this work show that the stated and analyzed ARVs contain active ingredients; there is no placebo. Ten percent of these ARVs are non-compliant with regard to dosing of the active test. Conclusion: These results confirm the need to control these drugs to protect patients from adverse consequences related to their poor quality.

Spectrophotometry, UV-Visible, ARV, Kinshasa

Kamangu, E. , Mbinze, J. , Mingu, A. , Bolavie, J. , Mvumbi, G. , Kalala, R. , Mesia, G. , Lusakibanza, M. , Mavar, J. and Marini, R. (2017) UV Visible Spectrophotometric Determination of the Quality of Antiretroviral Drugs Distributed in Kinshasa. Open Access Library Journal, 4, 1-8. doi: 10.4236/oalib.1102923.