The full version of this counterfeiting feature can be read in the July issue of our digital magazine: http://www.pharmtech.com/ptedigital0710
Dr Detlef Beckers
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X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) is a versatile, non-destructive technique that reveals detailed information about the chemical
composition and crystallographic structure of pharmaceuticals. As such, it can clearly distinguish between tablets on the
basis of type and amount of API (Figure 1), crystal structure of the API and/or composition of excipients. Importantly, because the technique uses X-rays, measurements
can be made with the tablets in their original and intact packaging (Figure 2).
Figure 1
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The recent introduction of the world's first 3D detector for use in an XRPD system (by PANalytical) brings further insight.
Now, computed tomography (CT) images of the tablet under test can be generated in the same instrument as the diffraction data
is collected. This allows the non-invasive analysis of size, shape and inner microstructure of tablets giving additional information
about the production processes involved (Figure 3).
How does it detect counterfeits?
Figure 2
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Although XRPD is already a standard tool for analysing illicit drugs and is used extensively in criminal investigations, it
is not yet embedded in the pharmaceutical industry as a standard analytical technique for detecting counterfeit medicines.
However, there are many inherent qualities of the method for this application. XRPD allows a fast analysis of the complete
composition of the tablet, including the excipient mixture, polymorphic form and crystallinity of the API. The technique can
also non-destructively analyse intact pharmaceutical tablets, without requiring removal from the original blister packaging.
This allows a batch of samples to be released for sale if appropriate, or to be retained in the original form for use as an
exhibit in a court of law. Furthermore, tablets can be used in subsequent analysis by other methods.
Figure 3
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XRPD offers several advantages over other tablet analysis techniques. For instance, traditional wet chemistry methods, such
as gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, are time consuming because of the need for sample preparation, and also destroy the
physical properties of the tablets. More advanced analytical techniques also have disadvantages. Infrared techniques often
have problems with hydrate mixtures because of moisture content and while NIR is often promoted as being easy to use (particularly
in the case of portable instruments), a proper evaluation of the resulting spectra requires advanced spectroscopy knowledge.
This is particularly the case where NIR tests are conducted through packaging. In this case, so called 'multiplicative scattering'
from the packaging may lead to false positives or false negatives. Additionally, an appropriate test set for NIR needs to
be built up from dozens of samples and validated on the instrument. These samples also need to be monitored for small changes,
which can occur due to variations in humidity, temperature, or differences in particle size, and may impact results.
As with NIR, fourier transform spectroscopy Raman also offers the benefit of being available as a portable instrument — and
in my opinion is perhaps the most appropriate of this group of techniques. However, it also suffers from problems with interference
and issues with high moisture content samples.
XRPD can easily be transferred from one instrument to another without the need for complex calibrations. It also provides
rapid unequivocal analysis where both organic and inorganic materials, and/or components with similar molecular weights, polarities,
boiling points and structures, are present.
