Materials and Technologies to Combat Counterfeiting of Pharmaceuticals: Current and Future Problem Tackling

The globalization of drug trade leads to the expansion of pharmaceutical counterfeiting. The immense threat of low quality drugs to millions of patients is considered to be an under-addressed global health challenge. Analytical authentication technologies are the most effective methods to identify active pharmaceutical ingredients and impurities. However, most of these analytical testing techniques are expensive and need skilled personnel. To combat counterfeiting of drugs, the package of an increasing number of drugs is being protected through advanced package labeling technologies. Though, package labeling is only effective if the drugs are not repackaged. Therefore "in-drug labeling," instead of "drug package labeling," may become powerful tools to protect drugs. This review aims to overview how advanced micro- and nanomaterials might become interesting markers for the labeling of tablets and capsules. Clearly, how well such identifiers can be integrated into "solid drugs" without compromising drug safety and efficacy remains a challenge. Also, incorporation of tags has so far only been reported for the protection of solid drug dosage forms. No doubts that in-drug labeling technologies for "liquid drugs," like injectables which contain expensive peptides, monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, dermal fillers, could help to protect them from counterfeiting as well.