Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - July 2010 - (Page 11)

How Raman spectroscopy is benefitting developing and developed countries One analytical technique that has gained significant traction in the fight against counterfeits is Raman spectroscopy. The biggest difference between Raman spectroscopy and serialisation is that the former tests the actual drug and/or raw materials, which is important for markets where the product is sold without its original packaging. Raman spectroscopy also accurately identifies chemicals through sealed glass, plastic bottles, plastic bags and blister packs, avoiding potential contamination and preserving the integrity of any evidence that can be used against counterfeiters. In recent years, Raman spectroscopy has become available as a lightweight, handheld instrument that can identify even slight differences in drug formulations on the spot at points throughout the supply chain. The problems in developing and developed countries the authenticity of their medicines. In less developed countries, Nigeria is also there are gaps throughout using our handheld the supply chain because Raman instruments standards are not as strict as to identify they are in more developed problems with drug regions. Bringing antiformulations; after counterfeit technologies to just two weeks of these countries should be deployments, the Duane Sword a top priority; ideally, they instruments had Thermo Fisher Scient ific should be portable and helped authorities easy to use with minimal seize more than training, which handheld Raman 60 000 counterfeit drugs. instruments may be able to offer. Although supply chains in Some countries already have developed regions, such as the an anti-counterfeiting strategy EU and the US, are tighter, they in place. For instance, Nigeria’s are still not 100% secure against National Agency for Food and counterfeiters. The biggest risk in Drug Administration and Control these countries lies in medicines (NAFDAC) has launched a text purchased via the internet. messaging service called the Mobile Meanwhile globalisation and the Authentication Service (MAS) that outsourcing of drug or raw material allows anyone in Nigeria to check manufacture also poses a significant threat. As such, it is very important that consumers are educated so that they can assess the legitimacy of a medicine, and manufacturers must make it as difficult as possible for drugs to be copied. This will be achieved by deploying serialisation technologies as well as chemical identification instruments that can provide a quick “pass” or “fail” analysis of a medicine on the spot. PTE Based on a contribution by Duane Sword, Vice President Marketing & International Sales at Thermo Fisher Scientific. To read the full version of this article, go to www.pharmtech.com/sword www.thermo.com 1 CONTENTS 8 EDIBLE MICROTAGS 3 OVERCOMING OBSTACLES 9 X-RAY ANALYSIS 4 EU LEGISLATION 11 RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY 6 DATA MATRIX CODES 14 TOP TECHNOLOGIES http://www.pharmtech.com/sword http://www.thermo.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - July 2010

Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - July 2010
Can Pharma Keep Pace with the Counterfeiters?
Obstacles to Implementing an Effective Anti-Counterfeit Strategy: Can They Be Overcome?
EU Anti-Counterfeiting Legislation on its Way
You Can't Control What You Can't Measure
Data Matrix Barcodes: Points to Consider
Authenticating Drugs with Edible Microtags
The Power of X-Ray Analysis
NIR Chemical Imaging Could Hold Key Data
How Raman Spectroscopy is Benefitting Developing and Developed Countries
Overt Versus Convert Technologies
Serialisation is Here to Stay
Eight Latest Technologies Showcased

Pharmaceutical Technology Europe - July 2010