An investigation into the extent of heavy metal contamination in pharmaceutical drugs and herbal medicine manufactured in Uganda

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyse pharmaceutical drugs and herbal medicine for the extent of heavy metal contamination in them. Comparison was done between each pharmaceutical drug and its herbal alternative, made in Uganda. The heavy metals chosen for analysis were lead, zinc and copper because of their adverse effects on the human body when taken in large quantities. They were first extracted from the samples using the acid digestion method and later analysed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The flame type method was used. In the results, it was discovered that the highest concentration of lead was found in Sildenafil (4.220±0.003 mg/l). The highest concentration of zinc was found in the cleanser (1.685±0.007mg/l). The highest level of copper was found in the cleanser (14.353±0.000 mg/l)