The distributed pharmaceutical analysis laboratory (DPAL) is a consortium of colleges and universities that helps to detect substandard and falsified pharmaceutical products from markets in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). ACS-accredited degrees in chemistry require instruction in analytical chemistry, and many analytical lab or instrumental analysis lab classes incude use of HPLC to identify and quantify organic substances, so the DPAL activities are a good fit for required coursework or undergraduate research/thesis experiences. The DPAL project provides participants with a framework of standard operating procedures and performance checklists, as well as advice and troubleshooting assistance. After students have demonstrated that their HPLC protocol meets quality standards, they receive a batch of samples collected by partners in LMICs. The students gain experience with industrially relevant analytical chemistry practices including establishing system suitability, following standard operating procedures, and comparing experimental results with regulatory specifications to determine compliance. They also learn communication skills such as keeping organized records, communicating with fellow DPAL participants and regulatory agencies, and co-authoring reports to health authorities. Students learn while also seeing that analytical chemistry has real-world impact. Over the past three years, DPAL students have analyzed more than a thousand pharmaceutical samples and discovered 116 samples that failed to meet analytical specifications.

Authentic analytical chemistry practices are modeled by the distributed pharmaceutical analysis laboratory (DPAL)

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.