Lab tests

Palbocib 125 mg: an independent lab test confirmed palbociclib in the capsules

Unifarm pharmacists
Unifarm pharmacists
3 min read
Palbocib 125 mg: an independent lab test confirmed palbociclib in the capsules
The tested capsules and the first page of the Otava laboratory report. The client’s details are hidden.

The most common question about generics from India and Bangladesh is “is the right substance really inside?”. The pack cannot answer it: counterfeits copy both the box and the blister. Only a laboratory can. So Palbocib 125 mg capsules (palbociclib, Aprazer) were sent for an independent test.

Who did the test

The test was carried out by Otava Research and Service Company LLC (Kyiv), a chemical analysis laboratory. It holds measurement capability recognition certificate No. ПТ-52/26 dated 12.03.2026, issued by the state enterprise Ukrmetrteststandart and valid until 11.03.2028.

The sample was submitted by a private person, so we have blacked out the client’s name in the report. Everything else is unchanged.

Two yellow-and-red Palbocib capsules submitted for testing as sample 3050
Sample No. 3050: two yellow-and-red capsules. They were handed over without the blister, which is why the report says “in unmarked packaging”.

How the test was done

The capsule contents were covered with methanol and sonicated for 30 minutes to extract palbociclib. The insoluble residue (excipients) was removed by centrifugation, and the alcohol extract was analysed by liquid chromatography with mass-spectrometric detection (LC-MS).

The method works in two steps. The chromatograph separates the mixture into individual substances, each leaving the column at its own time. The mass spectrometer then “weighs” the molecules of each substance. Matching on both at once by chance is practically impossible.

What the test showed

Chromatograms of the Palbocib capsule extract: an intense peak at 4.4 minutes
Chromatograms of the extract: an intense peak with a retention time of 4.4 min. The top trace is built from the mass of palbociclib (m/z 448.5).

The chromatogram shows one intense peak with a retention time of 4.4 minutes. Its mass spectrum contains three signals, and all three match palbociclib:

  • m/z 448.7 — the protonated palbociclib molecule [M+H]+. This is the key signal: the molecular mass of palbociclib is 447.5.
  • m/z 224.7 — the same molecule carrying two protons [M+2H]2+.
  • m/z 917.9 — the sodium adduct of the dimer [2M+Na]+.
Mass spectrum of the 4.4-minute peak: signals at m/z 448.7, 224.7 and 917.9
Mass spectrum of the 4.4 min peak: the main signal at m/z 448.7 and the accompanying 224.7 and 917.9.

The laboratory’s conclusion: the capsule of test sample No. 3050 contains the active substance palbociclib.

What this test does not show

To be clear about its limits:

  • The test answers “what is inside”, not “how much”. It confirms that palbociclib is in the capsule but does not measure the amount — 125 mg or less. The amount can be determined by a separate test against a reference standard.
  • The result applies to the tested sample. It is a check of specific capsules, not a certification of every batch.
  • It does not replace your doctor’s advice. Palbociclib is prescribed by an oncologist and should be taken as prescribed.

The full report

Report No. 3050/2026 dated 30.06.2026 has 5 pages: the description of the test, the conclusion, a photo of the sample, the chromatograms, the mass spectrum and the laboratory’s certificate. The report is in Ukrainian; you can open it in your browser or download it.

Open the report (PDF) Download PDF

Otava laboratory measurement capability recognition certificate No. ПТ-52/26
Measurement capability recognition certificate No. ПТ-52/26 — the last page of the report.

If you want to test a medicine yourself, the laboratory can be found at otava.ua. And how to spot a counterfeit by its packaging is covered in our Counterfeits section.

Notice. The information in this article is for reference only and does not replace medical consultation. Always consult a healthcare professional before using any medication.

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