Counterfeit, Contaminant, and Foreign Material Analysis Services

Identify suspected counterfeit products and unknowns in finished and raw materials

Counterfeit Analysis Programs

In recent years, the number of counterfeit drugs has increased dramatically, including not only "lifestyle" products but also vital medicines. In addition to the threat to public health, the financial and reputation damage to pharmaceutical companies is substantial. The lack of robust information on the prevalence of fake drugs is an obstacle in the fight against drug counterfeiting. It is generally accepted that approximately 10% of drugs worldwide could be counterfeit, but it is also well known that this number covers very different situations depending on the country, the places where the drugs are purchased, and the definition of what constitutes a counterfeit drug.1

The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Associations (IFPMA) has estimated that >10% of all drugs sold around the world are counterfeits. More than 50% of medicines purchased worldwide from illegal online sources are counterfeit. They have suggested that the value of this trade is more than USD 50 billion. In Russia, the figure has been put at 12% while in the Ukraine it may be as high as 40%. Of 81 countries inspected by Interpol, 48 were identified as sources of counterfeit products in 2011.2 The WHO has indicated that India is responsible for about 35% of the world’s counterfeit medicines with the business being worth more than USD 200 million annually.

The chemical analysis of drugs suspected to be fake is a crucial step as counterfeiters are becoming increasingly sophisticated, rendering visual inspection insufficient to distinguish the genuine products from the counterfeit ones.

Triclinic Labs has extensive experience in the identification of counterfeit products (packaging, labeling, drug substances, drug products, medical devices). Our unique combination of analytical techniques, spectral libraries, and industry experience allows us to develop strategies to not only accurately identify counterfeit items but also catalog and mitigate the strategies and tactics employed by counterfeiters. For more information on our comprehensive counterfeit programs please contact us.

2010 Sep;398(1):77-92. doi: 10.1007/s00216-010-3748-y. Epub 2010 May 1
2. https://www.ifpma.org/
3. WHO factsheets https://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs275/en

Counterfeit Analysis Capabilities - Patient Complaint Analysis Specialists

Labels
- Gross Analysis (Color, Placement)
- Paper
- Ink
- Spacial Authenticity
- Adhesive
Packaging
- Container Dimensional Size and Accuracy
- Polymer Identification and Composition
- Induction Seal Integrity
- Adhesives
- Residue Analysis
Drug Product Analysis
- Active Ingredient Identification and Confirmation
- Potency
- Excipient Distribution and Authenticity
- Others

See below for data examples.

Contaminant, and Foreign Material Identification

If you have an unknown substance we can quickly and confidently help identify the material. We specialize in pharmaceutical and fine chemical contaminant analysis and foreign material identification.

We have expertise in analysis of:

Failures
OOS
Contaminants

Manufacturers need to know the source of contamination when an unknown material is found in a pharmaceutical product. We have extensive expertise in identification of foreign items in raw materials through finished drug product. With not only expert analytical chemists but also a complete set of analytical tools at our disposal (including state-of-the-art spectroscopic and optical systems), we can quickly and confidently identify the unwanted substances in your samples.

Pharmaceutical contamination testing and identification projects at Triclinic Labs involve off-color investigations as well as foreign materials in a product. Sources of contaminants include the environment, improper storage of the product, poor quality raw materials, items introduced during manufacturing including those from an undetected change in the process (e.g. polymorphic conversion), and unexpected sources. We work quickly and closely with you to determine the source of contamination and develop a corrective action program.

pharmaceutical contaminant analysis

Figure 1. Analysis of a contaminant found in raw material. Optical microscopy and subsequent spectral analysis confirms the material is cotton fiber. False color SEM. For more information on microscopy and imaging please click here.

Typically Utilized Contaminant Analysis Techniques

RAMAN and IR Microscopy

Chemical imaging and micro and macro product mapping, matching to spectral libraries of authentic materials. Learn more about spectroscopic techniques, click here.

Scanning Electron Microscopy & CryoSEM

Analyze hydrated samples. Learn more about SEM techniques, click here.

SEM/Electron Dispersive X-Ray

Micro Elemental Analysis. Learn more about elemental analysis techniques, click here.

Optical and Digital Microscopy

Still and dynamic image capturing. Learn more about microscopy techniques, click here.

FT-IR with ATR,

Diffuse reflectance, transmission, gas cell, matching to spectral libraries. Learn more about spectroscopic techniques, click here.

Mass Spectrometry

GC/MS, LC/MS, LC/MS/MS and MALDI, matching to libraries - chemical identification. Learn more about MS techniques, click here.

Application Notes:

Identification of Cellulosic Fibers by Infrared Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy

This application note demonstrates how scanning electron microscopy (SEM) can be used in conjunction with Infrared (IR) micro spectroscopy to identify different cellulosic fibers based on surface features and overall fiber appearance.
Download the application note!

Mini Case Study #1.

Goal: Determine whether a submitted final dosage container is authentic or possibly a counterfeit. A multi-disciplinary approach was used: Visual inspection, Optical microscopy, Infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy.

section of the suspect label

Figure 2. Comparison of the ink application for a section of the suspect (top) versus authentic (bottom) label. Raman Spectral comparison of ink on both (black) authentic and (red) suspect labels (bottom spectrum).

spectra of authenticlabel

Figure 3. Induction seal IR spectral comparison comparison of both (black) authentic and (red) suspect seals.

Conclusion: Authentic Materials; production run variations in packaging caused by using a different printing company were the source of differences. A multi-disciplinary approach was used:

Multiple aspects of the label, container, and seal used to determine authenticity
Establish basis sets for authentic materials

Mini Case Study #2.

Goal: Identify suspect tablets as authentic or counterfeit. An open container of final dosage product was submitted in which three tablets appeared suspect. Physical measurements and color of the tablets showed that they were not authentic.

Visual Comparison; Suspect Tablets vs. Authentic Reference
Embossing: None versus “xxx” on one side, “xxxx” on the other side for authentic
Physical size: 19 x 10 mm versus 14.48 mm length, 10.51 mm width, 5.59 mm height

Chemical Identification was performed to attempt to identify the chemical components of the suspect tablet.

Raman Spectrum of Viagra

Figure 4. Raman Spectral Analysis. Black: library spectrum of Pfizer's Viagra. Red: suspect tablet. Green: library spectrum of microcrystalline cellulose.

Conclusion: Counterfeit tablets. A multi-disciplinary approach was used:

Counterfeit tablets identified as sildenafil citrate (active in Viagra) with MCC and titanium dioxide.
Visual inspection: Color: Pink versus orange (brand color), tablet measurement, and comparison to reference authentic materials.
Raman spectroscopy with spectral library matching.