Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Medindia

Bomb Detection Technology may Help Weed Out Fake Medicines in Developing Countries

by Savitha C Muppala on Sep 3 2010 5:04 PM

 Bomb Detection Technology may Help Weed Out Fake Medicines in Developing Countries
We may soon have a technique to weed out fake medicines - a problem which raises its ugly head in developing countries, especially Africa, where 50% of the malaria medication is spurious.
Researchers from Lund and the UK are working on a prototype that will resemble a briefcase in which a pharmacist, customs officer or pharmaceuticals agent can place a packet of tablets, without having to open the packet. After a minute or so the device indicates whether or not the medicine is fake.

It is not only reliable but also simple and cheap, which is a prerequisite if it is to be successfully put into use in developing countries", said Andreas Jakobsson.

The idea is the same as that behind bomb and explosives detection. Researchers have long known that it should also be possible to use this technique to trace counterfeit drugs, but it has not been sufficiently well developed for this purpose.

"The signals that are emitted from a chemical substance are incredibly weak! But we have succeeded in developing mathematical algorithms which allow us to capture them," said Jakobsson.

Professor Jakobsson and his Swedish colleague Erik Gudmundson are responsible for the mathematical calculations, while their colleagues at King's College London are responsible for the chemical experiments and the development of the equipment.

Source-ANI


Recommended Readings
Latest Drug News
View All
Advertisement