Counterfeit pharmaceuticals are a growing public health threat, with fentanyl-laced counterfeit pharmaceuticals contributing dangerously to the ongoing opioid crisis. Molecular analytical advancements are vital for the rapid, precise identification and regulation of counterfeit products.
Although first synthesized as a clinical intravenous analgesic by Paul Janssen in 1960, fentanyl quickly became a commonly prescribed drug for the treatment of chronic pain. Higher in potency than morphine and cheaper to synthesize, fentanyl was deemed a highly effective, affordable choice.
The incredibly addictive nature of fentanyl has been a main driver of its misuse. An average of 60,000,000 people annually are reported to have fentanyl use disorder in the Americas, resulting in 100,000 fentanyl-related deaths. Over-prescription and inadequate regulation of this controlled substance have further fuelled its misuse, resulting in a third opioid crisis wave in North America.
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