The Food and Drug Administration has a new cutting-edge tool in its counterfeit drug detection toolbox. At a symposium Monday, the agency unveiled the Counterfeit Detection Device #3 or CD3, a hand-held device developed by FDA scientists that can be used in the field to detect counterfeit products and packaging. “This device was designed in-house by FDA scientists in response to the needs for screening in the field,” said FDA Commissioner Dr. Margaret Hamburg. “It is low cost compared to other analytical devices, operates with batteries, and requires minimal training to use. It allows for ‘real time’ comparisons with authentic drugs - and has already proven useful for identifying counterfeit drugs at our busy international mail facilities.”
