DRUG

The study investigated the elderly behavior towards drugs taking for their well-being in Sabongida-Ora community, Edo State, Nigeria. The objective of this study was to investigate and highlight the elderly behavior towards drugs taking for their well- being in Sabongida-Ora community. The research questions asked to achieve the objective of the study were as follows; what are the elderly behaviour towards drug taking in Sabongida-Ora community, What are the causes of the elderly behaviour towards drug taking in Sabongida-Ora community and What are the best method to improve the elderly behaviour towards drug taking in Sabongida-Ora community. The sample size was 294 participants chosen from the study population using the Proportionate Stratified Random Sampling, the research instrument utilized was the questionnaire. Conclusion drawn from the analysis of the data retrieved from the questionnaire indicates that the growing awareness of the drug use problems of the elderly clearly points up the fact that real understanding and indepth knowledge of the area is lacking. Although it is true that some elderly people are receiving too much of too many psychoactive medications, it is also true that many are not now using psychoactive drugs that could significantly help them. These and other issues need intensive study. It is crucial, then, that at this juncture, NIDA actively participate and assist in the development of new knowledge and innovative service delivery models in order to provide every assurance that the elderly population who are experiencing difficulties associated with their drug use can be accurately identified and provided quality care. Recommendations were made based on the findings and they include: Physicians must always review all medications used. Special attention must be paid to nonprescription drugs, herbs and supplements. Various criteria sets exist in the literature that identify medications to be avoided, or prescribed with caution.

Background: Self emulsifying drug delivery systems (SEDDS) offer a means of enhancing the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of drugs with poor water solubility. The aim of this study is to formulate and evaluate a self emulsifying drug delivery system of diclofenac potassium using palm oil as the lipid phase.
Method: Five batches of SEDDS labelled B1, B2, B3, B4, B5 were prepared by incorporating diclofenac potassium in SEDDS bases of palm oil and Tween 80 at varying component ratios. The resulting formulations were evaluated for their self-emulsification performance upon dilution with water by visual inspection and classified according to standard emulsion grading criteria (Grade A, B, or C). They were evaluated for their stability and Absorbance values.
Result: The emulsification performance demonstrated significant variability across the batches, with Batch B1 successfully forming a highly stable Grade A emulsion, indicating rapid and fine self-microemulsification. Conversely, Batches B2 and B3 yielded a satisfactory Grade B emulsion, whereas Batches B4 and B5 resulted in a milky Grade C emulsion, signifying poor emulsification performance. Batches B1, B2 and B3 showed stability,while batches B4 and B5 showed poor stability. The batches had absorbance values which ranged from 0.579 ±0.006 to 0.713 ±0.004 showing considerable drug entrapment.
Conclusion: The optimal performance of Batch B1 confirms that diclofenac potassium can be successfully formulated into a stable SEDDS using palm oil, providing a practical, scalable, and effective strategy for enhanced in vitro dissolution and potential clinical application.