When we talk about conservation proper we are referring to a drug, or a preparation, treated with preservatives. These preservatives are mainly synthetic, such as BUTYL HYDROXYANISOL (BHA) or BUTYL HYDROXYTOLUENE (BHT), which are often found in the list of ingredients of various products. They are synthetic antioxidants and prevent processes that must be avoided or prevented, because they could alter the Drug quality Preservation, together with stabilization, is a preventive method, which allows the quality of the drug and its derivatives to be maintained over time.
Preservative substances above all prevent oxidation of the active ingredients or of the structures that make up the drug. Similarly to stabilization, preservation is a method that permanently alters the enzymatic patrimony, with irreversible blocking of degradation phenomena.
We have therefore seen that a drug, to be such, must be dried, lyophilized, stabilized or treated with preservatives; only in this way can the plant, the part of the plant or the animal derivative that constitute it, can be used for health purposes for the formulation of wellness products. If what becomes a drug is not treated appropriately, then natural derivatives suitable for use for health purposes will not be produced, unless these must be used fresh, for example for the production of dyes or essential oils. We are therefore talking about technical factors, artificial elements of drug processing that determine the preservation over time and the quality of the drug itself.
Drugs, despite being treated in this way, obviously go against a slow degradation and deterioration of their health activity, and this also applies to all derivative products. With the passage of time, in fact, drugs lose the quality and quantity of active ingredients that determine their functional use; moreover, while they undergo these phytochemical alterations they also alter in appearance, because the degradation of the chemical peculiarities goes hand in hand. step with that of physical structures. With the passage of time, therefore, the drug changes color and consistency, losing those characteristics that belong to it as a drug and that describe it as a product of well-being and health.
As a general rule, if drugs are not used they must always be renewed after one year. But how should they be stored during that year? The technician's task is to keep that drug in the most suitable conditions, so that it can still be kept for a particularly long time, theoretically even longer than 12 months.
The drug must be stored in closed containers made of inert material (which does not interact with the drug) and must be kept in the dark; the containers must therefore be shielded, but above all be filled as much as possible, this to reduce natural oxidation phenomena due to the presence of oxygen. Since the drug has been dried, it must be stored in controlled humidity environments; these conditions must be such that the drug and its pharmaceutical quality can be kept at its best for long periods of time. However, even if the drug it has maintained an optimal quality, after a year the rule wants it to be renewed in any case. Drugs, in fact, can still be subject to alterations, despite the fact that the criteria of good conservation and correct hygiene standards have been maintained. Certain drugs can for example undergo the attack of particular fungal, bacterial or animal agents, such as insects; specifically, oil-based drugs (sources of mainly glyceric mixtures) are often the object of fungal aggression.
More articles on "Drug Storage and Expiration Date"
- Lyophilization and stabilization of a drug
- Pharmacognosy
- Possible drug alterations, fungal aggressions
