Could space exploration technology help pharmacists detect counterfeit drugs?
Two researchers from the United Kingdom seem to believe so, after developing a quick low-cost system that uses the fruits of astronomical research.
With counterfeit drugs a growing global problem – highlighted again at this week's meeting of the International Pharmaceutical Federation in Turkey – Professor George Fraser and Professor Martin Gill from the University of Leicester combined their expertise of space physics and crime to design a system which can test a product in the field and does not require special measures to be taken by drug makers.
"Pharmaceutical manufacturers do not have a simple-to-use, speedy, non-destructible method of detecting counterfeits and we have the potential to offer just that," said Prof Fraser, director of the university's Space Research Centre.
Shortlisted for a British innovation award, Spectral ID relies on detecting the differences between the characteristics of light reflected from printed packaging.
Trials so far have resulted in a 100 per cent success rate in identifying counterfeit products where the differences could not be detected by the untrained naked eye.
"The need to remove counterfeit drugs is greatest in the developing countries but there have been an increasing number of reports of them becoming available in the developed world," said Prof Gill, a criminology expert.
"Other end users would include hospitals, pharmacies, ethical distributors, customs, police, security services and trading standards bodies.
"We have worked with two international companies who have provided us with counterfeit samples and a pharmaceutical association has agreed to work with us to further develop the product."