Plain 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance analysis streamlines the quality control of antiviral favipiravir and congeneric World Health Organization essential medicines.

Favipiravir is an established antiviral that is currently being assessed as an investigational drug for the treatment of COVID-19. Favipiravir is strikingly similar to two molecules that the World Health Organization (WHO) lists as essential medicines, which also consist of a six-membered aromatic N-heterocycle bearing a carboxamide function: the anti-tuberculosis agent, pyrazinamide, and nicotinamide, also known as vitamin B3 . We demonstrate the utility of 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) profiling, an emerging pharmacopoeial tool, for the highly specific identification, selective differentiation of congeners, and subsequent detection of drug falsification or adulteration of these medicines. The straightforward comparison of basic 1-D 1 H NMR spectra, obtained with benchtop or advanced NMR instruments alike, offers a rapid identity assay and works independently of physical reference materials. This approach accelerates and advances pharmaceutical quality control measures under situations of increased drug demand and altered economy, such as during a pandemic.