تسجيل الدخول

تسجيل

Examination of unknown products

المؤلف:  Sue Jickells , Adam Negrusz (Editors)

المصدر:  Clarkes Analytical Forensic Toxicology

الجزء والصفحة:  331

2026-10-31

59

Examination of unknown products

Unnecessary submissions and expensive laboratory time may be saved if solid dosage forms can be recognised from their physical appearance. They may be identified with a high degree of confidence if they have sufficiently characteristic features, if the appearance can be accurately described and if an appropriate database is available. The method of identification used depends upon why the identification is required, the speed with which a result is needed, the nature of the unknown and the resources available.

When a rapid identification is required for clinical purposes, and if the unknown is likely to be a legitimate pharmaceutical, it is usually sufficient just to locate it in a commercial database, particularly if it carries a distinctive marking. The treatment of the patient is likely to be symptomatic and is unlikely to depend solely on the identification of the product. If the identification is for forensic purposes and the product is likely to be illicit or has no distinctive features, a chemical analysis is required. However, a preliminary search of a database can save much time and expense and can guide the subsequent analysis.