Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of pharmaceutical residues in environmental samples: a review

Pharmaceutical residues are environmental contaminants of recent concern and the requirements for analytical methods are mainly dictated by low concentrations found in aqueous and solid environmental samples. In the current article, a review of the liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) based methods published so far for the determination of pharmaceuticals in the environment is presented. Pharmaceuticals included in this review are antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, β-blockers, lipid regulating agents and psychiatric drugs. Advanced aspects of current LC–MS/MS methodology, including sample preparation and matrix effects, are discussed.