Paper spray ionization coupled to Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry as a tool to fight the counterfeiting of medicines

Analyses of illicit drugs and medicines in forensic laboratories require constant improvements and updates in protocols and analytical techniques in order to follow the new trends employed by illicit producers. Therefore, applying reliable and fast techniques to perform the chemical profiling of seized samples, allowing for detection of the different types of falsification performed, is an urgent measure. In this study, Paper Spray Ionization (PSI) coupled to Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) was used for determining the chemical profiling of 92 samples of counterfeit medicines and ecstasy tablets. Afterwards, all the samples were evaluated using principal component analysis (PCA) to distinguish their chemical composition. From the results, different strategies for medicine counterfeiting were identified, such as changing the API and employing a mixture of substances to produce distinct medicines. Cross contamination of medicines with cocaine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) was also detected. Moreover, the compounds cassaidine and glyceryl nonivamide were identified in all three classes of the seized medicines analyzed. Such compounds act as new markers in illicit production, not reported before in counterfeit medicines. The majority of ecstasy tablets contained MDMA and ethylone in their composition. Using PSI-MS combined with chemometrics, substances present in the seized medicines and ecstasy tablets could be detected through a simple, fast, and reliable procedure. Therefore, it was possible to connect the substances present in the seized material according to their chemical profiling, thus producing important evidence for police intelligence, which constitutes a great tool to be employed in forensic laboratories.