Chemical Fingerprinting Technology Identifies the Origins of Counterfeit and Stolen Pharmaceuticals

A groundbreaking study by researchers from the University of Copenhagen and Stanford University has demonstrated that medicines possess a unique chemical fingerprint, which can be used to trace their origin with high precision. This innovative approach focuses on analyzing stable isotopes—specifically, variations of hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen—in pharmaceutical ingredients. Since these isotopic signatures are influenced by geographical location, water sources, and local plant growth conditions, they serve as reliable markers for identifying where a medicine was produced.

The research, published in the journal Molecular Pharmaceutics, highlights the potential to distinguish identical medicines manufactured by different companies in various regions and even detect counterfeit or illegally repackaged drugs. The lead author, Else Holmfred, a postdoctoral researcher, explains that each medicine's chemical signature can pinpoint the original factory, offering a powerful tool for combating the rising threat of pharmaceutical crime.

Recent EU reports revealed that over 426,000 packages of illegal medicines were seized during specific operations in 2024, totaling an estimated value of 11.1 million euros. As counterfeit medicines become an increasingly significant problem, especially with the rise of online drug sales, this new chemical fingerprinting method offers a promising solution.

The process involves examining the isotopic composition within medicines, which remains stable over thousands or millions of years and is difficult to forge. The team emphasizes that this technique is straightforward, requiring only a standard laboratory setup, and can analyze about 50 samples in roughly a day.

Furthermore, the study discusses the role of plants in medicine production. The isotopic signatures of plant-based components depend on their geographic origin, water supply, and photosynthesis type, making it almost impossible to counterfeit these signals.

Holmfred notes that upcoming research will focus on detecting specific counterfeit medicines by analyzing their isotopic deviations from authentic samples. This method holds great promise for law enforcement and regulatory agencies seeking to verify the authenticity and traceability of pharmaceuticals globally.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-chemical-fingerprints-reveal-stolen-counterfeit.html