Trends in counterfeits amphetamine-type stimulants after its prohibition in Brazil

Abstract Brazil is one of the world's highest users of anorectic drugs, mainly diethylpropione, fenproporex and sibutramine. The present work focuses on physical and chemical characteristics of 17 counterfeited capsules containing amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) from three seizures conducted...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Forensic science international 2013-06, Vol.229 (1), p.23-26
Main Authors: Mariotti, Kristiane de Cássia, Ortiz, Rafael S, Souza, Daniele Z, Mileski, Thayse C, Fröehlich, Pedro E, Limberger, Renata P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amphetamine-type stimulants
Amphetamines
API
ATS
Brazil
Drugs
Fenproporex
Forensic analysis
Forensic sciences
Fourier transforms
Pathology
Principal components analysis
Seizures
Sibutramine
Software
Statistical analysis
Stimulants
Studies
Trends
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Summary:Abstract Brazil is one of the world's highest users of anorectic drugs, mainly diethylpropione, fenproporex and sibutramine. The present work focuses on physical and chemical characteristics of 17 counterfeited capsules containing amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) from three seizures conducted by Brazilian Federal Police. The physical profile was useful in indicating forgery, bring complementary information, but the use of this data singly was not sufficient to distinguish between authentic and counterfeited medicines. The chemical analysis revealed that the seizures capsules labeled as Desobesi-M® (fenproporex 25 mg), actually contained the active pharmaceutical ingrediente (API) sibutramine. The amount of this API ranged from 1/3 to 2 times the amount of drug found in commercial product, may reach twice the recommended daily dose. Multivariate analysis with application of principal component analysis on data from spectroscopy attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared classified the samples according to their similarities, indicating that two seizures had common origin. This study represents the first step in the elucidation of falsification of ATS in Brazil. Considering the forensic intelligence these information are valuable in order to develop and establish a database that enables correlate samples from different locations and/or suppliers and to map the profile and trends of trafficking.
ISSN:0379-0738
1872-6283
DOI:10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.03.026