Flow injection iminodiacetic acid ethyl cellulose (IDAEC) microcolumn preconcentration and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry determination of trace metals (Cd, Co, Ni, Pb) were carried out without decomposition of the drug matrix. The two forms of chromium Cr(III) and Cr(VI) were separated using IDAEC and anion exchanger diethylaminoethyl (DE)-cellulose, respectively. The detection limits of trace elements in pharmaceutical substances (sugars, sorbitol, mannitol, paracetamol, amidopyrine, chloral hydrate) after a 10-fold preconcentration in 1-5% m/v solution of pharmaceuticals were in the 0.3-29 ng g - 1 range. The measured concentration of trace elements in substances investigated was below 100 ng g - 1 . The spike recovery was close to 100%. The capability of total reflection X-ray fluorescence technique for the determination of trace elements in pharmaceuticals with and without preconcentation was explored.