(Spectral Evolution: Lawrence, MA) -- The worldwide counterfeit drug market continues to expand, both in developing and developed countries. From fake antimalarial drugs in Africa to counterfeits sold over the Internet, these drugs are detrimental in three primary ways:
• Patients don’t receive the correct drug, which can lead to potential injury or death
• Patients receive contaminated versions of the correct drug that may be toxic
• Pharmaceutical companies lose revenue

Spectral Evolution’s SM-3500 portable NIR spectrometer can help combat counterfeiting by allowing identification and authentication using spectral matching and principal-component analysis. Steps involved in these measurements include:
• Taking sample spectra of authentic drugs to form a known reference
• Checking target drugs against those spectra for authentication

The SM-3500’s portability makes it well-suited for counterfeit screening applications, as it can be used at:
• Manufacturing facilities
• Warehouses
• Hospitals
• Pharmacies
• Field locations for government agencies

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