Potential use of handheld Raman devices as tools for screening medicines

The spread of counterfeit and substandard medicines is a global threat to public health. The sources of most counterfeit medicines found globally were traced to Asia. Although many of these products were found outside the region, many Asian countries are at high risk of exposure to them. There is a need for easy and affordable tools for screening medicines. Handheld Raman devices have gained increasing interest as such tools. Many of the devices available share some advantages in the detection of counterfeit medicines but there are challenges in the detection of substandard products. Fixed-dose combination medicines present even greater challenges.