Counterfeit and substandard medicines are a serious public-health risk. Fast, reliable identification — in the field and in the laboratory — is central to protecting patients and the supply chain.
The challenge
Suspect products can look identical to the genuine article. Distinguishing them often requires analysing the actual chemical composition of the sample, rather than relying on packaging alone — and doing so quickly enough to act.
Field-based screening
Handheld analytical instruments allow inspectors to screen products at the point of inspection — at borders, warehouses, pharmacies or markets — often without opening the packaging or destroying the sample. A rapid pass/flag result helps prioritise which items need full laboratory confirmation.
Laboratory confirmation
Where a formal determination is required, laboratory methods provide detailed, defensible analysis of identity and quality. A layered approach — fast field screening followed by targeted laboratory testing — makes the best use of limited resources.
Who benefits
Drug regulators, food-and-drug administrations, customs and enforcement agencies, quality-control laboratories and manufacturers all have a role in keeping the supply chain safe. The right detection tools make that work faster and more effective.