Evaluation of quality of hydrogen peroxide-based antiseptic solutions available in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Background: Hydrogen peroxide solutions of low concentrations are important antiseptics and deodorants used in hospitals and as home‐remedies. The preparations have the disadvantage of being unstable when exposed to sunlight and when stored for a long time. They decompose slowly, releasing oxygen and water thus decreasing the available hydrogen peroxide for antimicrobial action. Objective: To assess the quality of hydrogen peroxide solution‐based antiseptics available in Dar es Salaam. Methodology: One hundred and sixty‐five samples were collected at random from pharmacies and medical stores, and analysed. One hundred and forty samples were hydrogen peroxide solutions intended for wound cleansing and 25 samples were eardrops. Among these samples, 116 were from manufacturer A, 24 from manufacturer B and 25 samples of eardrops were from manufacturer C. Results: Eighteen (26%) of the samples from medical stores failed to meet specifications. Of the 70 samples from pharmacies, 20 (29%) failed to meet the BP 2005 specifications. All the 25 samples of eardrops failed to comply with specifications. The average hydrogen peroxide contents (±SD) of the samples from medical stores and pharmacies were 6·6 ± 0·6%, 6·8 ± 0·4% w/v respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P