Microbial Contamination of Creams

Abstract

The quality of pharmaceutical preparations is under considerable threat from a number of factors which may contribute to their deterioration. Not least amongst these is the potential for microbial contamination by bacteria and fungi which, following a period of multiplication, can lead to breakdown of the active ingredient by microbial enzymes or may effect changes in other constituents of the preparation which may in turn combine or alter the active ingredient. At the same time this poses the threat of causing infection in those who use the preparation as with all drugs contaminated during their manufacture. Thus strict aseptic precautions and sterilization techniques must be applied during manufacture to ensure that the product is sterile when first presented to the patient.