LGC is using high-accuracy mass spectrometry (MS) to measure variations of calcium (Ca) and lead (Pb) isotope ratios in order to identify counterfeit pharmaceutical packaging.
By applying this technique to look at Ca and Pb isotope ratios in the cardboard packaging and printing ink used in drug cartons and containers, scientists can now potentially distinguish the source of origin of packaging materials and provide evidence against drug counterfeiters for subsequent prosecutions.
To develop methods to help identify counterfeit pharmaceutical packaging, LGC scientists have worked on a research project in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline, funded by the UK National Measurement System.
LGC scientists used a laser ablation system coupled to a multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (LA-MC-ICP-MS) to measure and compare Ca and Pb isotope ratios of nine pharmaceutical packaging samples.
The results of the LGC study showed that, of the nine samples analysed, the five authentic samples displayed different Ca isotope ratios to those of the counterfeit samples.
When analysed and plotted, the Ca isotope ratios of two counterfeit samples known to come from the same country clustered together.
Two further counterfeit samples, from different countries, also had similar Ca isotope ratios to the first two counterfeit samples analysed.
Isotope ratio analysis of Pb showed similar clustering of results.
LGC is using the same technique to provide high-accuracy sulfur isotope ratio measurements to identify counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs.
