Key Summary
- University of Brighton researchers have developed FakeMedSensor, which uses electrochemical sensing to detect the presence and amount of active pharmaceutical ingredients
- The device can be used across the supply chain by manufacturers, health workers, and even patients
- It is in its pilot phase and will soon undergo broader testing and refinement to meet regulatory and industry standards
Researchers at the University of Brighton have developed a new hand-held device designed to make drug verification faster, more reliable and affordable, according to media reports.
The FakeMedSensor is an electrochemical sensor device that can detect the presence and amount of active pharmaceutical ingredients.
The device can be used across the supply chain by manufacturers, health workers and even patients.
Although still in its pilot phase, the university has reported that the prototype has delivered strong results in laboratory trials.
The next stage involves broader testing and refinement to meet regulatory and industry standards.
The FakeMedSensor was developed by Professor Bhavik Patel of Clinical and Bioanalytical Chemistry at the University of Brighton, alongside Dr Rico Shergill, a PhD researcher in electrochemistry.
This programme has the support of UKRI’s Connecting Capability Fund and Innovate UK’s ICURe Discover programme.
This development comes amid growing concerns over the increasing presence of counterfeit drugs in the market.
The World Health Organisation had recently stated that at least 1 in 10 medicines in low- and middle-income countries are substandard or falsified.
Countries spend an estimated $30.5 billion per year on substandard and falsified medical products.
In the UK, there has been an increasing concern about the presence of counterfeit weight-loss jabs in the market.
