مختصر البحثThis study introduces a novel, cost-effective, and rapid indirect spectrophotometric method for the quantification of three phenolic pharmaceuticals: Doxycycline hyclate (DOX), Cefadroxil monohydrate (CFL), and Oxymetazoline hydrochloride (OMN), in both pure and dosage forms.1. Methodology and Reaction MechanismThe proposed analytical technique is based on a redox-bleaching reaction involving three primary steps:Oxidation: The drug is oxidized in an acidic medium using a known excess of N-Bromosuccinimide (NBS).Dye Interaction: The remaining (unreacted) NBS reacts with Methylene Blue (MB) dye.Quantification: The concentration of the drug is determined indirectly by measuring the absorbance of the residual MB dye using UV-Visible spectrophotometry at a maximum wavelength ($\lambda_{max}$) of 580.0 nm.2. Optimization of Experimental ConditionsThe study established specific optimal parameters for each drug to ensure maximum sensitivity:Reagents: Nitric, acetic, and hydrochloric acids were identified as the most effective media, respectively.Order of Addition: For DOX and OMN, the sequence follows: Acid → Drug → Oxidant → Dye. For CFL, the optimal sequence is: Drug → Acid → Oxidant → Dye.Thermodynamics & Kinetics: Optimal temperatures ranged between 5 °C and 20 °C. Oxidation and bleaching times were meticulously timed to ensure complete reaction before measurement.3. Analytical Performance and ValidationThe method demonstrated high statistical reliability and adherence to international validation standards:Linearity: All drugs followed the Beer-Lambert law within concentration ranges of 5–25 µg/mL, with high correlation coefficients ($R^2 > 0.998$).Sensitivity: The method achieved low Detection Limits (LOD) and Sandell’s sensitivity values, indicating high precision for trace analysis.Accuracy and Precision: Relative Standard Deviation (RSD%) and Recovery (Re%) values (averaging ~100%) confirm the method's reproducibility and exactness.4. Pharmaceutical Application and Comparative AnalysisSelectivity: The method was successfully applied to various commercial formulations (capsules and nasal sprays) available in Iraqi pharmacies. Common excipients showed negligible interference (less than 2%).Statistical Significance: Comparisons between the proposed method and standard reference methods using t-tests and F-tests showed no significant differences, proving that this low-cost method is a viable alternative to highly specialized equipment.Conclusion: The developed method provides a highly selective, precise, and accessible alternative for the quality control of phenolic medicines without the need for sophisticated instrumentation.