Integration of Novel Low-Cost Colorimetric, Laser Photometric, and Visual Fluorescent Techniques for Rapid Identification of Falsified Medicines in Resource-Poor Areas: Application to Artemether-Lumefantrine
Integration of Novel Low-Cost Colorimetric, Laser Photometric, and Visual Fluorescent Techniques for Rapid Identification of Falsified Medicines in Resource-Poor Areas: Application to Artemether-Lumefantrine
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DOI：
10.4269/ajtmh.14-0832
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发表时间：
2015-06-01
影响因子：
3.3
通讯作者：
Newton, Paul N.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Green, Michael D.;Hostetler, Dana M.;Newton, Paul N.
通过有效的药品监管机构和适当的执法，可以减少假药的出现。这些机构采取行动的基础是，一旦假药出现在市场上，就必须迅速识别。由于假药主要出现在发展中国家，进行药品分析面临着独特的挑战。选择一种有用技术的一个基本因素是可负担性和简易性。因此，我们提出了一种在资源匮乏地区识别假药的三级药品评估策略。第一级是将药片的重量和尺寸与官方规格进行简单比较。第二级使用廉价的光度测量设备（激光和荧光）来评估药片。然后对第一级和第二级评估中可疑的样本进行比色测定，以鉴定和量化活性成分。在本文中，我们评估了一种新的比色测定法，用于同时评估复方蒿甲醚片中的本芴醇和蒿甲醚，并将该方法与两种新型低成本的荧光和激光光度测量设备相结合。评估使用了图像分析软件。虽然以蒿甲醚 - 本芴醇为例，但该策略可适用于其他药品。
The availability of falsified antimalarial drugs can be reduced with effective drug regulatory agencies and proper enforcement. Fundamental to these agencies taking action, rapid identification must be made as soon as they appear in the market place. Since falsified antimalarials occur mostly in developing countries, performing drug analysis presents itself with unique challenges. A fundamental factor in choosing a useful technique is affordability and simplicity. Therefore, we suggest a three-tiered drug evaluation strategy for identifying a falsified drug in resource-poor areas. Tier I is a simple comparison of a tablet's weight and dimensions with official specifications. Tier II uses inexpensive photometric devices (laser and fluorescence) to evaluate a tablet. Suspicious samples from Tier I and II assessments are then subjected to a colorimetric assay for active ingredients identification and quantification. In this article, we evaluate a novel colorimetric assay for the simultaneous assessment of both lumefantrine and artemether in co-formulated Coartem (TM) tablets, and integrate the method with two novel, low-cost, fluorescence and laser photometric devices. Image analysis software is used for the assessments. Although artemether-lumefantrine is used as an example, the strategy may be adapted to other medicines.