Project title:
The Availability, Legality and Authenticity of Internet Medicines:
Viagra (sildenafil) and Benzodiazepam as a case study.
Short project description & main objectives:
The availability of internet prescribed drugs to patients as a means of obtaining treatment for their conditions, and the possibility of the drug being counterfeit, may pose a risk to patient’s safety. Counterfeit medicines are most commonly distributed through online pharmacies, most of which are hosted outside Australia and are not subject to Australian law enforcement. The lack of a legal framework targeting online pharmacies may affect public health and safety. Such counterfeit drugs could contain the incorrect amount of the active ingredients or other potentially hazardous materials. Forensic examinations were conducted on samples of sildenafil (Viagra) bought without prescription from four internet providers. However, without proper analytical testing, it was not possible to determine the quality of drugs. The overall aim of this study were to review the legislation and regulations pertaining to prescribed drugs available for purchase from the internet; develop an analytical (LCMS) and biochemical (cGMP) method for sildenafil; profile the effectiveness of Sildenafil purchased and the possible health implications associated with the use of generic Viagra.
- Review of the literature relating to the legislation and manufacturer/ supply of generic prescribed drugs (India/ China major suppliers)
- Forensic characterisation of generic prescribed drugs (Sildenafil + Benzodiazepam)
- Commissioning of LCMS system for the analysis of generic drugs.
- cGMP method – sildenafil activity.
- Comparison of on-line counterfeit generic drugs versus manufactured prescribed drugs
Principal supervisor: / Dr. Ian Mullaney and Assoc. Prof. James Speers
Other supervisors: / N/A
Contact details for furtherinformation: / Assoc. Professor James Speers
Closing date for applications: / e.o. January 2018
Start & finish date of project: / Feb 2017 – Nov 2018
Available part-time? / No
Available to international students? / Yes
Research centre/group: / Forensic Science – Medical and Molecular Science Group
Desired background of applicants: / Interest in analytical chemistry/ biochemistry
Other benefits: / ChemCentre employer contact.
Extra Comments: / Investigation of the quality and pharmaceutical effects of on-line internet prescribed drugs is becoming an increasing health and safety issue within Australia. This will be the first Australian research into this matter.
School of VLS10 June 2016