General Principles in analysis of toxic substances
and drugs
By Elphas Shikokoti Siayi BSC. MLS ( MMUST)
Common objectives of analyzing toxic substances and drugs
• To meet regulatory requirements
• To detect drug use and or abuse (e.g use of dopping substances)
• Detection and monitoring of occupational exposure to toxic substance and
diagnosis of occupational diseases
• Identification of causative agents causing death or injury in humans and animals
• Courtroom testimony and consultation concerning toxicoses
• Diagnosis and treatment of common toxicoses and poisoning
• Quantification of toxicants and drugs in the body
• To monitor treatment effectiveness and adjust dosage according to blood drug
concentration.
• To study drug pharmacokinetic profiles, for example during early phases of drug
development. As part of quality control and assurance
General policies related to analytical laboratories
1 Standard operating procedures
Analytical laboratory should have SOPs for sample handling, storage, maintenance,
replacement of laboratory chemicals, solvents and standards, and the use of laboratory
equipment such as pH meters.This should be updated regularly.
2 Quality assuarance (QA) and quality control (QC)
Analytical laboratories should have in place QA and quality control procedures designed
to reduce errors occurring during analytical procedures and ensure accurate
quantitations of analytes. To produce data that have acceptable quality, all laboratory
members must follow established guidelines and protocols. Some of the essential
elements that must be included in a QA program are as follows:
• Laboratory protocols and practices (e.g., glass washing protocols) must be
developed, reviewed, and updated with the staff’s participation on a scheduled
basis and followed strictly by all laboratory members.
and drugs
By Elphas Shikokoti Siayi BSC. MLS ( MMUST)
Common objectives of analyzing toxic substances and drugs
• To meet regulatory requirements
• To detect drug use and or abuse (e.g use of dopping substances)
• Detection and monitoring of occupational exposure to toxic substance and
diagnosis of occupational diseases
• Identification of causative agents causing death or injury in humans and animals
• Courtroom testimony and consultation concerning toxicoses
• Diagnosis and treatment of common toxicoses and poisoning
• Quantification of toxicants and drugs in the body
• To monitor treatment effectiveness and adjust dosage according to blood drug
concentration.
• To study drug pharmacokinetic profiles, for example during early phases of drug
development. As part of quality control and assurance
General policies related to analytical laboratories
1 Standard operating procedures
Analytical laboratory should have SOPs for sample handling, storage, maintenance,
replacement of laboratory chemicals, solvents and standards, and the use of laboratory
equipment such as pH meters.This should be updated regularly.
2 Quality assuarance (QA) and quality control (QC)
Analytical laboratories should have in place QA and quality control procedures designed
to reduce errors occurring during analytical procedures and ensure accurate
quantitations of analytes. To produce data that have acceptable quality, all laboratory
members must follow established guidelines and protocols. Some of the essential
elements that must be included in a QA program are as follows:
• Laboratory protocols and practices (e.g., glass washing protocols) must be
developed, reviewed, and updated with the staff’s participation on a scheduled
basis and followed strictly by all laboratory members.
