COMING SOON – 2 new drug types added to TDDA drug screening devices

Feb 21, 2025 | Content by TDDA

TDDA are proud to announce the soon to be released updated TDDA branded oral fluid and urine screening devices that includes the option of 2 extra drug types “Tramadol & Fentanyl”.

The development of these new screening devices is part of TDDA’s ongoing commitment to R&D, ensuring we remain industry leaders to provide our clients with the highest quality of service to mitigate drug risks in the workplace. The addition of these 2 new drug types is in response to the growing use and associated risks Tramadol & Fentanyl pose to safety in the workplace. The option of testing for these extra drug types will be available to all TDDA clients who are currently serviced using the TDDA branded oral fluid and urine screening devices.

What value does this bring to your organisation?

9 drugs screened for the same price as the current 7 drugs screened for, includes:
- THC
- Oxycodone
- Benzodiazepines
- Cocaine
- Amphetamines
- Methamphetamine
- Opiates
- Tramadol * NEW
- Fentanyl *NEW
Greater level of drug risk mitigation in your workplace
The new devices have been independently verified by an AS/NZS 4760:2019 & AS/NZS 4308:2008 accredited laboratory

Is there any price rise associated with testing for the 2 extra drug types?

No, this is a value add for TDDA clients

Will these extra drug types be screened in both urine & oral fluid testing?

Will the process change?

For urine testing – there is no change. The screening process will be the same and the lab confirmation process will also be the same.
For oral fluid testing – If you choose the option of screening for the extra 2 new drugs in oral fluid, the screening process will remain the same. If however one of the 2 new drugs returns a non-negative result, the confirmation process is different. This is because at the moment there is no lab in Australia or New Zealand that can confirm either of these drugs in oral fluid. To arrange a lab confirmation, a urine sample would need to be collected and sent to the lab for analysis. TDDA are confident that oral fluid lab confirmations for these 2 new drugs will be an option in the near future.

When will the TDDA branded 9 panel oral fluid and urine screening devices be rolled out?

At this stage commencement of the 9-panel device roll out is planned for the first quarter of 2025.

What if your organisation does not want to include Tramadol & Fentanyl as part of your drug screening?

No problem, the new TDDA branded devices are designed to provide results for either the current 7 drugs currently screened and also have a pull away panel to expose the extra 2 drugs as required. Prior to testing commencing with these new devices clients can make contact with TDDA if they would like to discuss this further.

Some common questions you may have:

We have TDDA complete our oral fluid screening using the SoToxa devices, what does this mean for us?

If your oral fluid screening is by way of the SoToxa devices (as opposed to the TDDA branded oral fluid screening devices), then this message does not apply to you. It only applies to the TDDA branded oral fluid and urine screening devices. Your SoToxa oral fluid drug screening program will continue as per normal.

Our Workplace Drug & Alcohol policy is very specific around what we can and can’t screen for on site.

This is a good point and one that all clients should be aware of. Whether you choose to remain with the 7 drug panel screening or the new 9 drug panel screening, please make sure this decision complies with your D&A policy.

Why has TDDA chosen to add the Tramadol and Fentanyl drug testing strips?

There are many reasons why both Tramadol and Fentanyl are a potential risk in any workplace. As members of NDASA (the National Drug and Alcohol Screening Association based out to the USA) and CNOA (the California Narcotic Officers Association) TDDA follow and act on global drug trends. We have been carefully following the issues that both Tramadol and Fentanyl have created globally and have developed these new screening devices to help our clients mitigate these risks. Some recent local examples include:

In 2024 it was reported in the Daily Mail in Australia that the driver of the bus that crashed in the Hunter Vally in NSW, causing the death of 10 people, had developed a dependency on Tramadol
The Penington Institute – Global Overdose Snapshot 2022: “Australian overdose deaths involving Fentanyl (along with two other synthetic opioids, pethidine and tramadol) have increased by 1,275% since 2006. Without decisive action, the slide into US-level overdose mortality seems not just possible but assured. America’s opioid epidemic is Australia’s future, if we don’t act now.”
NZ Drug Foundation website article – What happened in Wairarapa could happen again: “Last weekend, over a 48- hour period, 12 people were hospitalised in New Zealand from overdoses of Fentanyl, a potent opioid used for pain relief in healthcare settings. Thankfully all survived. But things could have played out very differently. Until now, New Zealand has largely avoided the terrible opioid issues that are rife in America. The relative calm that New Zealand has experienced on this front is unlikely to last. It is only a matter of time until more opiates and overdoses hit our shores.”
University of Auckland, Faculty of Medical and Health Services – When pain relief becomes an addiction: “With an overdose epidemic in the United States and celebrities falling victim to them, opioids are rarely out of the news. They have been again this year, with the Royal College of General practitioners raising concerns about the number of patients dependent on the commonly prescribed painkiller Tramadol. It is increasingly apparent that addiction to Tramadol is more common than thought…”

What if I opt out of the 2 new panels at the moment, can I opt in at a later date?

Yes you can. The initial “opt in/opt out” process is part of the new 9 drug screening panel device roll out. If you want to opt in or opt out at any stage beyond this initial roll out, simply contact your local TDDA representative and they can help you with the process.

If I only want to continue with the current 7 drug panel screening, how will TDDA manage this?

There are several safe guards in place to ensure each client receives the service offering they request. Some of this is through our TDDA technician training; some of it is by way of the screening device design (the extra 2 drug panels can only be viewed if a covering panel on the device is removed); and some of it is by way of Imperans automation (a client that has chosen to stay with the current 7 drug panel configuration will have a set up within Imperans where only those 7 drug panel results can be recorded). This is all designed to ensure each client receives the service level requested.

I have read all the above, but I still have a couple of questions. Who can I speak to?

Changes like this can bring up a number of questions and TDDA want you to make an informed decision in relation to the above. If you have any questions at all (and our experience is that often several clients may have the same or similar question) you can either discuss these with your local TDDA contact or alternatively feel free to email TDDA at 9panel@tdda.com so we can respond as quickly as possible.

What are Tramadol and Fentanyl?

Tramadol:

Key facts

Tramadol is an opioid medicine used for the short-term relief of moderate to severe pain
It is not usually recommended for the treatment of chronic (long-term) pain
Tramadol is addictive and is only available with a prescription from your doctor.

The side effects of tramadol are similar to those of other opioids, and include:

headache or dizziness
fatigue or drowsiness (especially right after a dose)
loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting
sweating
muscle weakness

Fentanyl: