FDA Allows Sweat Patch

DRUG TESTING March 1995

The Food and Drug Administration has allowed the manufacture, marketing, and sale of a sweat patch method of drug testing for use in the criminal justice field ("FDA Allows Use of Sweat Patch By Criminal Justice Agencies," Drug Detection Report, Feb. 21, 1995, p. 7).

The sweat patch, manufactured by PharmChem Laboratories, Inc. of Menlo Park, California, works like an adhesive bandage. It is worn for one to two weeks and absorbs sweat that is tested for presence of illegal drugs. PharmChem says it will market the product for use in testing parolees or people on probation.

The FDA decided not to limit the use of the sweat patch in the criminal justice field, and PharmChem will continue negotiations with the FDA to gain approval of the patch for use in drug treatment facilities and for workplace testing.