Analytical devices for detection of low-quality pharmaceuticals

A multilayer paper analytical device for detection of a low quality pharmaceutical product or dietary supplement, comprising:

• one or more assay regions;
• one or more vessels each having a wall that houses one or more reagents in registry with at least one assay region for which testing for a chemical component is desired;
• and
• a non-chemically interfering binder agent disposed between the assay regions and vessels;
• wherein the vessels are arranged to be adjacent to the assaying regions with the binding agent providing a fluid path such that rupture of a vessel wall establishes fluid communication between the one or more reagents released by the ruptured vessel wall and the corresponding assay region along the fluid path;
• a hydrophobic material in the form of a sheet that is adjacent each vessel and that has openings that forms part of the fluid path for each vessel;
• wherein each assay region is configured to receive a sample of a suspected a low quality pharmaceutical product or dietary supplement such that, after activation of the device by rupturing of a vessel wall in registry with the assay region, the reagent wets the assaying region for reaction with the sample.