GSK–LGC: mass spectrometry, 201008 collab developm LA-MC-ICP-MS method to detect counterfeit pharma packaging

	Period	2010-08-04
	Region	United Kingdom (GB)
	Partner, 1st	LGC Ltd.
	Group	LGC (Group)
	Product	mass spectrometry services (MS services)
	Product 2	forensics
	Index term	LGC–Thermo Fisher: mass spectrometer, 201008 supply existent Multicolletor ICPMS Neptune instrument

LGC. (8/4/10). "Press Release: Fighting the Counterfeit Drug War – LGC Detects Fake Packaging Using Mass Spectrometry".

LGC announces new advance in the battle to detect counterfeit drug packaging

LGC, the UK's designated National Measurement Institute for chemical and bioanalytical measurement, is using high accuracy mass spectrometry (MS) for the first time 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, thus providing valuable evidence against drug counterfeiters for subsequent prosecutions.

Detecting counterfeit drugs and packaging has traditionally relied on a combination of visual examination and chemical analysis of the goods and packaging. However, as counterfeiting techniques are becoming increasingly sophisticated, more sensitive detection methods are required. Many counterfeit pharmaceuticals now contain the same active pharmaceutical ingredient as the genuine product, so their elemental composition is often very similar, if not identical to that of the real drug. In addition, both genuine manufacturers and counterfeiters often combine a number of elements of packaging materials sourced from different suppliers, thus making it difficult to identify counterfeits that have been seized in different locations.

To develop methods to help identify counterfeit pharmaceutical packaging, LGC scientists have worked on a research project in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline and funded by the UK National Measurement System. All naturally occurring elements consist of one or more stable isotopes and the isotopic profile of elements can reveal subtle variations depending on the source of origin. Advances in mass spectrometry have made possible the detection of these variations.

Described in a recently published primary paper*, 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.

As Ca is used in the cardboard/papermaking process and Pb is a major component of ink, both elements are expected to be present in packaging (cardboard/ink) at relatively high concentrations. 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's Dr Ruth Hearn, Team Leader in Chemical Measurement and Calibration said: "Working in collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline was vital to the success of this project because it enabled LGC to gain first-hand insight to the problems faced by pharmaceutical companies in tackling drug counterfeiting. This successful collaboration has enabled LGC to demonstrate the technique's potential to be used by the global pharmaceutical industry as a tool for the identification of counterfeit drugs."

LGC is also using the same technique to provide high accuracy sulfur isotope ratio measurements to identify counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs.

* Application of laser ablation multicollector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the measurement of calcium and lead isotope ratios in packaging for discriminatory purposes, Rebeca Santamaria-Fernandez and Jean-Claude Wolff
Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 2010; 24: 1993-1999

- Ends -

Notes to Editors

About LGC

LGC is an international science-based company and market leader in analytical, forensic and diagnostic services and reference standards. A progressive and innovative enterprise, LGC operates in socially responsible fields underpinning the safety, health and security of the public and the regulation of industry, for UK government departments and blue chip clients.

LGC operates internationally through four divisions - LGC Forensics, LGC Genomics, LGC Standards and LGC Science & Technology, which includes specialist laboratories delivering contracts for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and supporting LGC's designated role as the UK's National Measurement Institute for chemical and bioanalytical measurement.

Our operations are extensively accredited to international quality standards such as ISO 17025. With headquarters in Teddington, South West London, the LGC Group employs 1500 staff in 28 laboratories and centres across Europe and at sites in India, China and the US. Privatised in 1996 and now majority-owned by funds managed by Bridgepoint, LGC was founded almost 170 years ago as the Laboratory of the Government Chemist - a statutory function maintained by LGC today.

Information contained in our news releases should be considered accurate only as of the date of the release. The contents may be superseded by more recent information we have disclosed in later news releases, postings on the website or otherwise. News releases may also contain forward-looking statements based on the expectations of our management as of the date of the release.

Journalists can contact LGC for further information through:

Deborah Gaskell, Group Communications Manager
Email: mailto:deborah.gaskell@lgc.co.uk
Direct tel: +44(0)20 8943 7563.

LGC, Queens Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 0LY
Tel: +44 (0)20 8943 7000; Fax: +44 (0)20 8943 2767

Record changed: 2011-11-25

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GSK–LGC: mass spectrometry, 201008 collab developm LA-MC-ICP-MS method to detect counterfeit pharma packaging

LGC. (8/4/10). "Press Release: Fighting the Counterfeit Drug War – LGC Detects Fake Packaging Using Mass Spectrometry".

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