[New psychoactive substances require a paradigm shift in drug testing in Denmark]

Ugeskr Laeger. 2018 Mar 12;180(11):V07170564.
[Article in Danish]

Abstract

The emergence of an increasing number of new psychoactive substances (NPS) on the drug market requires a paradigm shift in drug testing. Immunoassay screening needs to be replaced with highly specific and sensitive analytical methods based on chromatography and mass spectrometry to produce accurate results, promote health and patient safety and collect data on the prevalence of NPS use, impact on public health and clinical aspects of NPS in Denmark. Development and implementation of new analytical methods currently present a major challenge for both clinical and forensic laboratories.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography / methods
  • Clinical Laboratory Services / standards
  • Denmark
  • Humans
  • Illicit Drugs / analysis
  • Illicit Drugs / poisoning
  • Immunoassay / methods
  • Mass Spectrometry / methods
  • Psychotropic Drugs / analysis*
  • Psychotropic Drugs / poisoning
  • Reference Values
  • Saliva / chemistry
  • Substance Abuse Detection / methods*
  • Urinalysis / methods
  • Workplace

Substances

  • Illicit Drugs
  • Psychotropic Drugs