Quotations – What We’ve Changed and Why

At Lextox we’re committed to delivering a responsive service and reliable results. One way we achieve this is by regularly reviewing market and client requirements – the aim – to continuously improve what we do and exceed client needs.

As a result, we’ve made some changes to our drug groups and terminology, which you will see reflected in our Request for Quotation Form. This blog explains what we’ve changed and why.

Amphetamine and Methamphetamine

When testing for Methamphetamine Lextox now also tests for Amphetamine in combination and vice versa. This is because Amphetamine is a metabolite (breakdown) product of Methamphetamine, as well as being a drug in its own right.

By testing for them both in combination, in certain cases, it can lead to a more accurate interpretation of the drugs being used than if undertaken in isolation. In addition, as both drugs are very similar people often use them both in combination.

In the event that a court orders just one drug, Methamphetamine or Amphetamine, our analysis of both will still meet the requirements of the court order, as the requested drug forms part of our new group.

What’s more, combining the analysis of these drugs does not affect our pricing, so our clients are receiving more at no additional cost.

Please note that Lextox still tests for Ecstasy group drugs. Clients can request this type of analysis using the Ecstasy (MDMA) box on the Request for Quotation form.

Complete Alcohol Package

You may have noticed that we have removed the ‘Complete Alcohol Package’ from our Request for Quotation Form. This follows the launch of our new blood alcohol test – Phosphatidylethanol (PEth).

At Lextox, we continue to advise that blood alcohol analysis forms part of the evidential picture when trying to assess an individual’s chronic alcohol use and recommend that it is used in conjunction with other evidence, such as hair alcohol marker testing.

The form has therefore been updated so that clients can confirm their hair alcohol testing requirements and are then given the option of blood alcohol testing options – Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin (CDT), Liver Function (LF) and/or PEth, all reliable methods to help create a picture of alcohol consumption.

FAEE to EtPa

Rest assured we still test for Ethyl Palmitate (formerly referred to as FAEE) when analysing hair samples to determine chronic excessive alcohol consumption. There has however been a change in terminology.

In line with the revised Society of Hair Testing (SoHT) consensus, the acronym for Ethyl Palmitate has changed from FAEE to EtPa. We have therefore updated our client documents and Expert Reports to align with the SoHT, but this has no impact on our testing or analysis results.

For more information or to request your quotation please email [email protected] or call 029 2048 4141.