Introduction
There was an increase in the last decade in the consume of products considered ?natural?, this is, those that contain medicinal plants (PM) as constituents. Thus, it is possible to find products with PM of different origin and quality. Taking into account that pharmacies are nowadays the most accessible sanitary establishment for population, it is very important that Pharmacy students became familiar with the different marketed products containing them or their products.
Among them, it is possible to identify Medicinal Specialities (MS), Phytotherapeutic Medicines (PM) and Dietary Supplements (DS), each one with a particular legal regulatory framework (1-3).
The aim of this work was to do a survey on PM and DS in order to determine if they fulfil with their respective legal regulations. At the same time, to identify and to differentiate (between both), the available products.
Materials and methods
The activity was planned together among the subjects Public Health, Medicinal Plant Substances Quality Control Bases and Pharmacy Professional Practice (PPP).
The strategy was that the students of PPP working in their centre of practices developed the above mentioned objectives.
They had to complete a table with the following data: R.N.E.; R.N.P.A.; certificate nº; laboratory; composition; suggested use; cost; and sale frequency.
The study was developed in 40 drugstores of the city of Córdoba (Practice centre). Finally, each student processed the obtained results and all the conclusions were discussed in a seminar.
Results
In total, 1141 products were listed, among them 39.6 % were PM and 60.4 % were DS. There were 58 suggested uses reported and a big variety of MP for PM as well as for DS.
In relation to the form, the DS are principally as sold as pills (75,4%), the PM as bags for infusions (44%), drops (23%) and pills (16%). 22 laboratories produced PM and 30, produced DS.
In relation to the regulations the 0.14% of the DS did not fulfil with the R.N.E. publication in the primary package, and an 8.46% of the PM lack of the certificate number, as is established by the regulation.
Conclusions
The students were very motivated by the activity, they wanted to learn more about the legal framework and to discuss about the implications in relation to the impact on the public health.
The proposed methodology allow the students to fulfil the all the planed objectives.
Acknowledgments
To the students and instructors.
References.
1. Normas de Aplicación al Registro, Elaboración, Fraccionamiento, Prescripción, Expendio, Exportación e Importación de Medicamentos. Decreto 150/92 del 20 de Enero de 1992. Boletín Oficial de la Republica Argentina 23/01/1992.
2. Establécense normas reglamentarias que contemplen la importación, elaboración, fraccionamiento, depósito, comercialización y publicidad de drogas vegetales, medicamentos fitoterápicos y las personas físicas y jurídicas que intervengan en dichas actividades. Res. 144/98 del 9 de Marzo de 1998. Boletín Oficial de la Republica Argentina 02/04/1998.
3. Código Alimentario Argentino. Ley 18284/69 del 18 de julio de 1969. Boletín Oficial de la Republica Argentina 28/07/1969.
