Modern analytical technologies for the detection of drug abuse and doping

Consequences to individuals convicted of abusing prohibited drugs or doping agents can be severe, including loss of employment, child custody, driving privileges, right to compete in international sports and ultimately freedom, when mandatory confinement occurs. In view of these penalties, laboratories charged with providing evidence must maximize testing accuracy. False positive and false negative tests are prevented by combining sensitive immunoassays and specific chromatographic–mass spectrometric detection. In addition, testing different biological matrices offers unique information about the drug-use history of an individual.

Section editors:Harald John – Bundeswehr, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Munich, GermanyRainer Bischoff – Centre of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, The Netherlands