Technology New device from Lausanne detects counterfeit Viagra in seconds
A new portable device detects counterfeit Viagra in seconds. No special training is required to operate the device developed by researchers at the University of Lausanne, and the drug does not need to be destroyed for analysis.
15.05.2025, 10:12
SDA
This represents a significant advance in drug safety, the university wrote in a press release on Thursday.
Despite numerous efforts, the spread of counterfeit drugs continues to be a major problem, as the researchers explained in a study in the Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, in which they presented the new device. According to the study, unauthorized drugs for erectile dysfunction are the most frequently illegally imported drugs in Switzerland.
100 percent accuracy
The device is shaped like a pen. The pen is used to scan the surface of tablets. The data is analyzed using artificial intelligence. This enables the device to determine with 100 percent accuracy whether it is an original preparation or a counterfeit.
To scan the medication, the device uses light in the near infrared range. The molecules in the tablet absorb certain wavelengths of light, depending on which chemical components they are made of.
According to the researchers, the technology not only enables immediate identification of the tablets, but also precise quantification of the active ingredient content. This is particularly important as counterfeit medicines often do not contain the correct dosage, which can lead to health risks for consumers.
