Trace metals analysis in selected pharmaceutical multimineral formulations

Twelve pharmaceutical multimineral formulations, marketed in Pakistan by various multinational and national pharmaceutical manufacturers were analyzed for calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium and zinc contents using atomic absorption spectrophotometric (AAS) technique. Generally, the Ca, Fe, K and Mg contents were normal to higher range compared with the labeled quantity. The Cu, Mn and Zn contents were low in most of the formulations when compared with the labeled amounts. Potassium was quantified in some formulations where it was not labeled this may be due to the excepients that may have been used in the formulations. The high contents like iron, calcium may also be due to the contamination or excepients used in the preparation of these drugs.