New method to identify opioids faster may help in combatting overdose crisis

A new drugtest developed at McMaster University could play a part combatingthe opioid crisis by more quickly and accurately identifying drugs such as Carfentanil, a version of fentanyl that is much deadlier.

Phillip Britz-McKibbin, one of the researchers in the study, said the new test can analyze a sample in two to three minutes.

"You can not only screen more samples in a shorter time period, you can now screen for a wide panel of drugs with the same method," he said.

In the last week of October, there were 75 visits to Hamilton emergency departments for drug misuse or overdoses, where 28 were suspected overdoses. That compares to July there were 33 opioid-related emergency department visits and five admissions to the hospital.

The new method that Britz-McKibbin and his team developed uses mass spectrometry, a technique that analyzes a sample down to its chemical components. Scientists can look at the specific components present to identify the drugs in the sample.

He said the current method tests a sample against a group of known drugs, such as opioids, but the results wouldn't specify the specific kind of opioid.

At a point-of-care setting the existing method is convenient, he said, but the drawback is the results aren't accurate enough without a second laboratory test.

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According to Britz-McKibbin, his team's new testing techniquewould be able to identify "designer drugs" that are new on the market without having to wait for the more extensive laboratory test.

Britz-McKibbinand his team published their research findingsin the journalAnalytical Chemistry.

"These illicit drug manufacturers are constantly developing analogs to evade those tests," he said.

What drugs are people using?

Michael Parkinson, a drug strategy specialist at Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council, said overdoses can happen in clusters when there's a particularly toxic batch of drugs in the community. Heechoes Britz-McKibbin'swish to better identify synthetic analogs of drugs that are on the streets.

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"We really have no idea what kind of fentanyl people are overdosing on," he said. He added he's heard "it's impossible to find uncontaminated heroin" on the streets these days.

But Parkinsonexpressed concern about cost barrier to accessing the testing methodBritz-McKibbin helped develop.

"Not all hospitals will have access to that kind of equipment would be my guess."

However, Britz-McKibbin said the new method could bring in savings by decreasing the number of tests needed. They will also be working to increase the amount of savings the new method can bring to a clinic or hospital.

Currently the research team has to conduct validation testing to ensure the new method can identify drugs that aren't screened currently.

They will be collaborating with a clinical laboratory in Mississauga whichhas expressed an interest in using the method in a clinical setting.

An application Britz-McKibbin mentioned is the ability to monitor patients at methadone clinics to ensure they are taking methadone and not other opioids.