Use of activation analysis in problems of drug control

Two major problems in drug control are the manufacture of counterfeit drugs and the diversion of legitimate drugs into illegal underground channels of distribution. In this study the use of neutron activation analysis was investigated for identification of the source of a drug product by analysis of certain trace elements added to it during manufacture, or by analysis of natural trace elements or contaminants already present. The usefulness of added trace elements was found to depend on the levels of natural contaminants. A level too high of the latter would require the addition of larger amounts of additives than physiological considerations permit. Thus, each drug product should be considered individually, after first establishing its natural contaminant content. Samples of dextroamphetamine tablets and capsules from five manufacturers, along with common tablet and capsule ingredients, were analyzed for natural contaminants. In the group, 17 elements were detected in amounts of less than 1 part per billion to over 0.1 per cent. The contaminants present in the tablets and capsules from the five manufacturers indicated each product was readily distinguishable from the others.