Professional education for 2011 received a timely boost this week as 21 pharmacists undertook a tour of iNova Pharmaceuticals manufacturing and laboratory facilities in Sydney. This comes hot on the heels of a similar visit only days before by new Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) Chief Executive Officer Liesel Wett, Pharmacy Self-Care Program PSA Principal Advisor John Bell and PSA Marketing Director Nicole Campbell.
Showcasing pharmaceutical excellence, the PSA accredited CPD tour gave participants insight into the development and manufacture of medicines. The guided tour showed Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and high quality standards in action from raw materials to finished goods for a variety of prescription and over the counter medicines bound for pharmacy shelves in Australia and overseas.
Ms Wett said: “An important aspect to quality use of medicines in supporting health outcomes is medicine quality, for which education on GMP and product quality is very relevant to pharmacy practice. Product quality in particular has implications for the delivery of medicines’ therapeutic effects, whereby issues such as storage and handling can affect their safety and effectiveness.”
Mr Bell said: “With the increasing number of alternative brands and their substitution in many therapy areas, product quality and ingredient content are particular areas for pharmacist advice and counselling when dispensing or recommending products.” A solid understanding of manufacturing and quality processes well equips pharmacists for advising on the similarities and differences among brands and in managing product queries and complaints where medicine storage, handling and expiry are issues,” he said.
iNova CEO, Andrew Howden said: “We are delighted to support pharmacist education with a course designed to increase knowledge of pharmaceutical manufacturing and quality control. This has practical relevance for pharmacy and is also in keeping with a key company principle to encourage and foster professional development in providing valued therapies to patients and consumers.”
On show during the tour were manufacturing, packaging and release processes for leading pharmacy only brands such as DuroTuss™, Difflam™, Cal-Sup™ and Metsal™.
iNova General Manager for Australia and New Zealand, Peter Mayrick, explained: “Professional advice is essential to help ensure medicines are used appropriately and product quality is maintained. This is a critical part of delivering value, which is why iNova is committed to the trust and professional expertise associated with pharmacy recommendation.”
Media contact: Athena Kolivos 0412 857 698