Introducing Continuous Fentanyl Monitoring and Testing Using the PharmChek® Sweat Patch

For more than thirty years, you have known PharmChek® as a reliable drug testing device with a proven track record over urine, saliva, or hair testing for cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and many other drugs of abuse. As of April 1, 2022, PharmChem is excited to announce that PharmChek® now offers a fentanyl add-on for our existing Standard and Expanded Panels.

Facts About Fentanyl

As a synthetic opioid that is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, fentanyl is a significant contributor to both fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the U.S.

Pharmaceutical fentanyl, which doctors prescribe for severe pain treatment, is similar to illicitly manufactured fentanyl because they are both considered synthetic opioids. But in recent years, most fentanyl-related overdoses have been linked to illicitly manufactured fentanyl, distributed through illegal drug markets. Because of its extreme potency and heroin-like effects, illicitly manufactured fentanyl is often added to other drugs to make them cheaper, more addictive, and more dangerous, especially to those who don't understand what they are putting in their bodies.

Of course, pharmaceutical fentanyl has a legitimate medical use when closely supervised by a licensed medical professional. Unfortunately, illicit fentanyl, primarily manufactured in secret labs outside the U.S., is increasingly being smuggled across our southern border and distributed in counterfeit pills that look like legitimate prescription opioids. Due to the lack of official oversight and quality control, these fake pills contain lethal doses of fentanyl. DEA analysis of such pills has found anywhere from .02 to 5.1 milligrams (more than two times the lethal dose) of fentanyl per tablet. And drug trafficking organizations usually distribute fentanyl by the kilogram, which is enough to kill half a million people.

The Impact of the PharmChek® Sweat Patch & Fentanyl Add-On

The need for long-term and continuous monitoring and testing of fentanyl has never been more evident, and the PharmChek® Sweat Patch will be a valuable tool in fighting our current opioid crisis.

Cost-Effective

Unlike alternatives on the market, the PharmChek® Sweat Patch is cost-effective for participants. They will be driving to your office far less frequently for testing and observation, saving them money in rising gas prices. Also, they won't have to take as much time off from work.

Gender Neutral

Application of the PharmChek® Sweat Patch is easy and non-invasive, taking only a few minutes to apply. And monitoring does not require direct observation by a specific gender or the handling of any urine, so it is both hygienic and stigma-free. As a result, the sweat patch is also perfect for juveniles.

Proven In Court

The PharmChek® Sweat Patch is not only tamper-evident but highly reliable and forensically defensible, with more than twenty years of federal, state, and local court cases upholding its proven results.

Long-Term Detection

The PharmChek® Sweat Patch acts as a collector for nonvolatile components of sweat, including drugs of abuse, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In other words, PharmChek® retains evidence of drug use over the entire time that the patch is worn, providing an extended window of detection. Because you only sweat the truth, PharmChek® provides long-term proof of sobriety like no other option available on the market.

How to Obtain Your Fentanyl Add-On

We understand that the need for fentanyl monitoring and testing is urgent, so PharmChem is making it easy to request a fentanyl add-on panel. Please note: Fentanyl cannot be ordered independently from the Standard Panel but is included in the Expanded Panel at no additional cost.

To request your fentanyl add-on using the NEW PharmChek® Chain of Custody form, follow the steps outlined below:

1. Fill out the new blue PharmChek® Chain of Custody form, following all instructions listed at the bottom of the form.
2. If you desire a fentanyl add-on panel, check "Fentanyl-S229" within field 7.

To request your fentanyl add-on using the old PharmChek® Chain of Custody form, follow the steps outlined below:

1. Fill out the green PharmChek® Chain of Custody form, following all instructions listed at the bottom of the form.
2. If you desire a fentanyl add-on panel, handwrite "Fentanyl Add-On " within field two.