Frequently, ARL has the opportunity to work with clients in relation to drug diversion samples. Diversion issues include: product tampering, and/or patient complaints. ARL understands the importance of working with the client to find the truth.

Drug Diversion analysis is an important part of the services ARL provides to its clients. It is vital to ARL and the client for a sample to be identified when analysis is requested. For drug diversion, ARL follows a different process and takes additional security measures to ensure the analysis addresses key questions for our clients.

When conducting a drug diversion analysis, ARL does the following:

• Performs additional documentation on the received status of the sample including:
  • digital documentation through photographs
  • greater detail in sample description (quantity, color, packaging, etc.)
  • physical examination of the sample for tampering (multiple puncture marks, false labeling, etc.)
• Tracks the item with the proper chain of custody
• Analyzes the sample with a validated method under validated conditions (when available – including longer run times, collecting full spectrums, etc.)
• Conserves the sample as much as possible while still performing suitable analysis
• Retains at least 50 percent of the sample for retesting or testing by another independent laboratory
• Identifies the sample as "suspect" and takes suitable precautions if it may have come in contact with biological material
• Gives the sample a longer retaining period instead of the standard 90 days

Recognizing that drug diversion may have occurred is the first step in ordering analyses. Communicating with the contract laboratory is vitally important since initial communications on scope of analysis and expected outcomes will save the client money and time.
 
ARL has over 70 years combined experience in forensics. From consultation to analytical testing to expert witness testimony, ARL stands behind the quality of the services it provides and strives to ensure our clients have data that is accurate and legally defensible.

ARL provides quality assurance for hospital pharmacists through analytical and microbiological testing.

• Sterility
• Endotoxin
• Potency
• Beyond Use Dating
• Stability Studies
• Drug Diversion

For more information visit ARL's website www.arlok.com

ISO 17025 accreditation assures you and your customers that the test, inspection or calibration data of your products are accurate and reliable. While ISO 9001 is effective as a management tool, it does not evaluate the technical competence of a supplier. ARL provides pharmacies and their customers with the confidence that you have selected a technically competent service.

Laboratory 17025 Accreditation uses criteria and procedures specifically developed to determine technical competence. Specialist technical assessors conduct a thorough evaluation of all factors in a laboratory that affect the production of test or calibration data. The criteria are based on the internationally accepted standards ISO/IEC 17025. Laboratory accreditation bodies use this standard specifically to assess factors relevant to a laboratory's ability to produce precise, accurate test and calibration data, including:

• technical competence of staff
• validity and appropriateness of test methods
• traceability of measurements and calibrations to national standards
• appropriate application of measurement uncertainty
• suitability, calibration and maintenance of test equipment
• the testing environment
• sampling, handling and transportation of test items
• quality assurance of test, inspection or calibration data

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Over 1000 available drugs

ARL has added the following drugs to our testing list:

• Acitretin
• Cefaclor
• Citalopram
• Hydrobromide
• Detomidine
• Glipizide
• HCG
• Imipramine
• Melphalan
• and more

Click here for the most recent list of drugs