Harm Reduction Journal (Aug 2024)

A lot testing protocol for quality assurance of fentanyl test strips for harm reduction applications

  • Hirudini Fernando,
  • Anita Amate,
  • Kathleen L. Hayes,
  • Heather D. Whitehead,
  • Charlie Desnoyers,
  • Emmanuel Uzobuife,
  • Madison S. Denchfield,
  • Braden Whitelatch,
  • Marya Lieberman

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-024-01058-y
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 21, no. 1
pp. 1 – 8

Abstract

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Abstract Fentanyl test strips (FTS) are lateral flow immunoassays that were originally designed and validated for detecting low concentrations of fentanyl in urine. Some FTS are now being marketed for the harm reduction purpose of testing street drugs for the presence of fentanyl. This manuscript provides a simple protocol to assess whether different brands and lots of fentanyl test strips perform adequately for use in drug checking. The results gathered from this protocol will document problems with particular lots or brands of FTS, help buyers choose from among the array of products, provide feedback to manufacturers to improve their products, and serve as an early warning system for ineffective products.