In Lagos, IPAN, USP boost technical competencies of laboratory managers

The Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN) in collaboration with The U.S Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) Nigeria, have trained laboratory managers in Lagos, with the aim to improve technical competencies for the participants to become experts in laboratory and auditing processes.

The four-days training titled ‘laboratory management systems training towards ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation’ held in Ikeja, Lagos, was prompted by the poor performance of laboratory managers in the country as well as to save the country from fake, substandard and adulterated in laboratory products also to encourage international practices.

Acting Registrar IPAN, Mr. Durosinlorun Abdusalam, said IPAN trains, examines, registers and regulates the practices of public analysts and analytical laboratories in Nigeria as its core mandate. He stated the institute organises 2-Day training twice in April and November every year without fail since the last two decades.

Abdusalam noted that those trainings are essentially for members with the objective of refreshing and acquainting them with new knowledge and skills in the business of the practice as the institute has increased the appeal by being less emphatic mandatory.

Abdusalam said: “I therefore, use this opportunity to inform participants that another of such training is in the offing and will hold in Kaduna on November 7 and 8 2017, just about a month from now.”

“The institute’s laboratory services department offers hands-on training on equipment and also on analysis. All these are geared towards building capacity. Apart from the written examinations in September every year for membership, the institute is at the verge of accreditations for ISO 17024, personnel certification body. This hopefully would come to pass in December 2017 and January 2018”.

“Human capacity development takes the front burner in the Institute’s scheme and we are becoming renowned for our consistency. Why this training is unique is for the first time riding on the crest of an international organisation a development partner USP Convention to organise a week long programme for the benefits of individuals present, and the nation at large. Every participants will be rewarded with a borderless certificate on laboratory quality management systems particularly those who succeed in the examination at the end of the course”.

The Chief of Party USP Nigeria, Dr. Chimezie Anyakora, said USP is an organisation focus on best quality of medicines in Nigeria adding that his organization has been working in Nigeria for almost five years now.

“We support National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration Control (NAFDAC), we support Ministry of Health and drug manufactures including IPAN, to ensure that quality medicines are available for patients in Nigeria”.

“Many people do not know that medicines are not effective not because they are not well produced but because they are not well handled instead of the drugs to cure diseases they will cause more harm to the patients therefore, proper handling of drugs are every important”.

“We partner with NAFDAC to organise trainings for drug sellers and other organisations with the aim to ensure it is only those who are qualified will handle medicines to reduce fake and adulterated medicines in Nigeria.”