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Table 3 Qualitative and quantitative analysis according to the suggested classification of Neves [25], and Weber and colleagues [26] into original, substandard or counterfeit and subclassifications with some adaptions for analysis

From: Fake anabolic androgenic steroids on the black market – a systematic review and meta-analysis on qualitative and quantitative analytical results found within the literature

Classification

Description and subclassification

Original

• Formulation detected fully matches the one declared on the label/ accurately labeled (qualitative)

• Levels of active pharmaceutical ingredients (AI) detected are between the defined range of the declared formulation defined by the individual studya (quantitative)

Substandard

• Formulation detected fully matches the one declared/ accurately labeled (qualitative)

• Levels of AI detected are not between the acceptable range defined for original productsa (quantitative)

• Subclassification (quantitative):

- Over-concentrated: AI detected above defined range

- Under-concentrated: AI detected below defined range

Counterfeitb

• Formulation detected does not match the label/ not accurately labeled (qualitative)

• Subclassification (qualitative):

- Inert: no AI present

- Substituted: different AI than labeled present

- Adulterated: not all or more AI than the labeled AI present

  1. AI Active ingredient
  2. a Adapted from Neves and colleagues’ specific range of 80–130% of the declared formulation
  3. b Adapted from Neves and colleagues: for our study there is no focus on authentic packaging, unregistered or non-existent manufacturer, lot numbers and expiry dates, or classes with no specification