Overview of the seized and examined pharmaceutical in the state of Minas Gerais-Brazil by the Civil Police from 2017 to 2022: A fundamental analysis of the recent impact over the drugs market

J Forensic Sci. 2023 Jul;68(4):1198-1205. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.15265. Epub 2023 Apr 26.

Abstract

This work presents a data survey regarding the qualitative chemical analysis of drugs seized by the Police in the state of Minas Gerais between July 2017 and June 2022, including an evaluation of labeling of 265 samples of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) seized in 2020. The Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) present in the samples were identified through chemical analysis and classified by system Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) methods. Analysis of the labeling information for 265 samples of AAS followed the guidance of legislation RDC 71 (2009) from ANVISA. For this study 6355 seized pharmaceuticals underwent qualitative chemical analysis that corresponded to 7739 APIs successfully identified and classified. Among the components studied AAS, psychostimulants, anesthetics, and analgesics were the most commonly examined. AAS seized and tested increased by over 100% and for the majority of the samples analyzed were found to not match the labeling on the packaging. In the meantime, anti-obesity drugs presented a prominent increase of 400% from 2020/1 to 2021/2, during covid-19 quarantine. Seized pharmaceuticals and tests can support information in the planning of public health and safety policies.

Keywords: anabolic androgenic steroids; anti-obesity; drugs seized; drugs to improve performance and image; medicines falsified and substandard; therapeutic drug.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anabolic Androgenic Steroids
  • Brazil
  • COVID-19*
  • Counterfeit Drugs*
  • Humans
  • Police
  • Testosterone Congeners

Substances

  • Anabolic Androgenic Steroids
  • Counterfeit Drugs
  • Testosterone Congeners