Quantitative liquid chromatography of ampicillin: collaborative study

A previously published liquid chromatographic method proposed for official use for the analysis of ampicillin in the market place was subjected to an international collaborative study. The method is rigorously defined in terms of performance requirements, yet allows a degree of flexibility to the individual analyst. Twenty-four participating laboratories from 9 countries submitted results of analysis of 3 samples. The data from one laboratory were rejected because they failed to meet the prescribed performance criteria. Evaluation of the data shows a coefficient of variation less than 1.8% between laboratories for each sample.