Drug residue determination

Drug residue measurement is a key issue in the context of health and environmental safety. These substances can come from veterinary treatments, human medications discharged into wastewater, or even plant protection products used in agriculture. Even in trace amounts, their presence raises questions of regulatory compliance, potential toxicity, and risks to public health.

Drug residue analysis aims to detect and quantify these compounds in various matrices. It allows for the control of food quality, the safety of products intended for human or animal consumption, and the assessment of the impact of drug releases on the environment.

Analytical methods
To ensure reliable detection, several analytical approaches are used:

• LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry) : a reference method, sensitive and selective, allowing the simultaneous identification and quantification of a large number of pharmaceutical substances.
• GC-MS (gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry) : used for volatile molecules or after derivatization of compounds.
• Multi-class screening : a global approach allowing the screening of different drug families in a single analytical test.

These methods cover a broad spectrum of molecules, including antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, antiparasitics, synthetic hormones and certain residues of veterinary drugs that are prohibited or subject to strict thresholds.

Matrices concerned
The dosage of drug residues applies to many matrices:

• Foods of animal origin : meat, milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans, which may contain residues from veterinary treatments.
• Plant products : cereals, fruits, vegetables or botanical extracts that may be exposed to medicinal substances via soil, fertilizers or contaminated water.
• Fodder and animal raw materials : to control animal nutrition chains and avoid indirect contamination.
• Surface water and wastewater : to monitor the environmental impact of drug discharges.

Regulatory and health issues
Monitoring of drug residues meets several requirements:

• Compliance with maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by European and international regulations.
• Preservation of public health, by avoiding chronic exposure to active substances even at low doses.
• Prevention of antibiotic resistance , a major issue when antibiotics are found in food chains or in the environment.
• Protection of agricultural and agri-food sectors, which must prove their compliance and guarantee the quality of their production.

Associated analyses in the YesWeLab catalog
The dosage of drug residues is often supplemented by other analytical services for overall control:

• Dosage of antibiotic residues to specifically target antimicrobial molecules.
• Dosage of pesticides to monitor other agricultural chemical contaminants.
• Mycotoxin dosage to control natural contamination of fungal origin.
• Determination of heavy metals in foodstuffs, water and raw materials.

YesWeLab Expertise
At YesWeLab, we work with a network of carefully selected, ISO 17025 certified and accredited laboratories, some of which are COFRAC-certified. These partners implement the most efficient analytical methods to meet your requirements.

Our role is to guide you toward the most appropriate technique and laboratory for your matrices, ensuring reliable and compliant results. Thanks to our digital platform, we simplify the management of your analyses: requesting quotes, tracking samples, and receiving results.

Since 2020, many manufacturers, distributors and design offices have trusted us to manage their analyses and control the quality of their products.