New Handheld Sensor Device for Authenticating General Drugs

Researchers from the University of Brighton, UK, have developed a handheld, general-purpose sensor device for verifying the authenticity of medicines quickly, accurately and affordably.

The device uses electrochemical sensing to detect the presence and amount of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) without the need for complex processes, according to its developers, who suggest it could also have applications in testing health supplements and agricultural products, including veterinary medicines.

The prototype has already delivered encouraging results in laboratory trials, according to a statement from the university. The next stage of development will focus on broader testing and refinement to meet regulatory and industry standards, with the hope of forming a spinout company within the next 12 months to take the project forward.

‘Our work is about delivering a practical solution that provides wide scale surveillance of medicines throughout all phases of the supply chain,’ said Prof Bhavik Patel, one of the researchers.