This study was undertaken to determine the cadmium and lead concentrations in low-price cosmetic products in the Saudi market. An analytical test was performed for 13 cosmetic products (five lipsticks, five foundations, and three eyeliners) using a flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The lead and cadmium heavy metals were determined as trace minerals in all 13 samples. The mean value for each metal in the three different products was as follows: 0.019532 (lipstick group), 0.020842 (foundation group), 0.026237 (eyeliner group) ppm for cadmium, and 0.032744 (lipstick group), 0.046466 (foundation group), 0.041903 (eyeliner group) ppm for lead. The results also indicated that the lead concentration was higher than cadmium in all samples under investigation. Moreover, the results indicated that the levels of cadmium and lead are affected by the company of the cosmetic products. Also, the results indicated that the cadmium and lead levels were within the allowable FDA values. Regular monitoring of the presence of heavy metals in cosmetic products should be continuously undertaken as these metals are reported to show harmful effects on the human body even in very small amounts.

Solubility is a critical parameter controlling drug absorption after oral administration. For poorly soluble drugs, solubility is influenced by the complex composition of intestinal media and the influence of dosage form excipients, which can cause bioavailability and bioequivalence issues. This study has applied a small scale design of experiment (DoE) equilibrium solubility approach in order to investigate the impact of excipients on fenofibrate solubility in simulated fasted and fed intestinal media. Seven media parameters (bile salt (BS), phospholipid (PL), fatty acid, monoglyceride, cholesterol, pH and BS/PL ratio) were assessed in the DoE and in excipient-free media, and only pH and sodium oleate in the fasted state had a significant impact on fenofibrate solubility. The impact of excipients were studied at two concentrations, and for polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP, K12 and K29/32) and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC, E3 and E50), two grades were studied. Mannitol had no solubility impact in any of the DoE media. PVP significantly increased solubility in a media-, grade- and concentration-dependent manner, with the biggest change in fasted media. HPMC and chitosan significantly reduced solubility in both fasted and fed states in a media-, grade- and concentration-dependent manner. The results indicate that the impact of excipients on fenofibrate solubility is a complex interplay of media composition in combination with their physicochemical properties and concentration. The results indicate that in vitro solubility studies combining the drug of interest, proposed excipients along with suitable simulated intestinal media recipes will provide interesting information with the potential to guide formulation development.

Background: Effective communication between hospital pharmacists and patients with disability is essential to ensure proper usage of prescribed medication, medication safety, and therapeutic outcomes. However, patients with hearing impairments encounter unique challenges that are often overlooked in pharmacy practice. There is limited evidence regarding how hospital pharmacists in Saudi Arabia address communication barriers with this patient group. Objective: To explore the experiences, challenges, and suggestions of hospital pharmacists in Saudi Arabia regarding communication with hearing-impaired patients in pharmacy settings. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted using an open-ended online survey distributed to hospital pharmacists across Saudi Arabia between April and May 2025. Twenty-six pharmacists responded to eight open-ended questions covering their experiences, training, communication barriers, and institutional support. Responses were analyzed thematically to identify key themes and insights. Results: Six major themes resulted from the analysis: (1) lack of formal training and preparedness, (2) limited direct experience with hearing-impaired patients, (3) communication barriers including time constraints and lack of tools, (4) suggestions for communication aids such as tablets and visual boards, (5) institutional responsibilities for training and infrastructure, and (6) pharmacists’ recommendations for inclusive service improvement. The findings highlight a critical gap in pharmacist training and system-level policies to support disability-inclusive communication in hospital pharmacy practice. Conclusion: Hospital pharmacists in Saudi Arabia reported limited preparedness and suggested various practical solutions, including written communication tools and visual aids. Findings indicate opportunities for structured training and institutional support to enhance inclusive communication.