Spectral perspective of a nemesis packed with counterfeit drugs

British researchers used the Raman imaging method to inspect drugs and added an anti-counterfeit inspection method to the inspection department. Using this method of inspection, counterfeit drugs can be found without opening the goods package.

Researchers at Rutherford's lab at CCLRC stated that although this imaging technology is in the early stages of development, they plan to develop testable instruments that can be sold within a year or so. To this end, CCLRC has worked with several pharmaceutical companies to study the potential and limitations of such instruments in terms of drug quality control.

The technique uses spatial shift Raman spectroscopy (SORS), which suppresses the fluorescent signals generated on packages, capsule shells, or tablet icings because these fluorescent signals interfere with the product's drug content and in the packaging, capsule shell, or tablet icings. The relatively weak Raman signal generated under the surface.

It is estimated that by 2010, the global market for counterfeit medicines, which will continue to expand, will reach 75 billion U.S. dollars (57.3 billion euros), which will increase by 90% compared with 2005. Although counterfeit products are often exploited under existing inspection techniques (such as in-package inspections), the inspection methods are rendered useless, but according to the researchers, SORS has the potential to strike out counterfeit products.

Team leader Pavel Matousek said on the In-PharmaTechnologist.com website: "To pass this technology test, drug manufacturers will have to use the correct ingredients." "Although this method still cannot avoid patents for drugs Counterfeit medicines are infringed, but the important point is that the correct counterfeit medicines for these ingredients will not endanger people's health as counterfeit medicines that are incorrectly formulated."

Matousek said: "The SORS method is based on traditional Raman spectroscopy. In traditional Raman spectroscopy, when the light is reflected on a molecule, it will produce a Raman effect, and the color of light changes slightly. The chemical reagents have unique fingerprint features.” Scientists claim that SORS has stronger chemical reagent recognition than near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and may replace NIR in these applications.

CCLRC plans to develop a portable tester and claims that this technology has been applied to traditional portable Raman meters on the market. In addition, they are planning to open a branch company, LiteThru, in the second half of this year and hope to further develop this technology. At the same time, they still intend to transfer the licensing of this technology to other instrument manufacturers.

Note: Raman was an Indian physicist who won the Nobel Prize in physics in 1930.

Reproduced from: Global Corrugated Industry