oa Monitoring of toxic metals in dietary supplements before they marketed in Qatar

The consumption of dietary supplements is widely spread and on the rise in Qatar market. Toxic metals like mercury, lead, cadmium and arsenic can be naturally present in dietary supplements and can pose harmful effects on human health. Pharmacy and Drug Control Department; SCH has been involved in proper counselling of these products before they are marketed to Qatar. In this study Two hundred and thirty five different dietary products (capsule, liquid or powder form) were analyzed which were submitted to our department for registration. Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) and Mercury Analyzer are used to monitor toxic metals that exceed United States Pharmacopeia (USP) maximum limits. Samples were digested with HNO3+HCl (5:1) by utilizing closed vessel microwave system. The validity of the applied method was assessed by the analysis of standard reference material (SRM 1548a), and the recoveries were 100 ± 10% of the certified value for 4 metals. Among the 235 samples, 13 samples contained lead (Pb) exceed the USP limit while 2 samples with arsenic (As) above the limit. No sample contained Cd and Hg above the limits. Pharmacy and Drug Control Department is taking action and monitoring toxic levels of Hg, Pb, Cd and As in herbal and dietary supplements before they market in Qatar by using state of the art technology for the safety of public and for the better health of peoples living in Qatar.