The Vice-Chancellor of University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Tolulope Ogunsola ,FAS. the President of MEDAFRICA Foundation USA and Funder of the MEDAFRICA GMP Laboratory UNILAG, Marty L. Jeiven University of Lagos and other stakeholders will be commissioning the first of it kind MEDAFRICA GMP laboratory in Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Nigeria on Tuesday, May 28, 2024.

As part of the event lined up on this special day. the Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology of the University of Lagos will hold her maiden Annual Seminar. The programme, which comes up at 11 a.m., is tagged Academia/Industry Collaboration: A Case for Purpose Driven Research through Product Development in Line with cGMP Specifications.

GMP is the acronym for Good Manufacturing Practices. It is a system of protocols that guarantees that medical products comply with the highest levels of quality assurance. Implementing the GMP specifications across the country will ensure that all pharmaceutical products manufactured in Nigeria adhere to safety and efficacy standards before they can be marketed for general use.

To ensure product quality and consistency, GMP protocols guarantee that the pharmaceutical industry adheres to regulations related to products, people, processes, procedures, and premises. Pharmaceutical organizations will also be mandated to follow standardized processes for product manufacturing, testing, validation, documentation, personnel qualifications, and material quality as well as regulations for industrial premises used for production.

Pharmaceutical companies that implement strict GMP standards stand to enjoy:

• Mitigated medical risks in pharmaceutical products.

• Avoidance of product recall, seizures, and legal fines.

• Enhanced manufacturing processes.

• Improved productivity and profitability.

• Compliance with international standards and legal requirements.

Keynote speaker, Prof. Olobayo Kunle, of the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD); Pharm. Kenneth Chinedu Onuegbu, the National Chairman of the Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) , Other dignitaries expected at the seminar include Prof Cyril Odianose Usifoh , President of PSN, Pharm. Registrar PCN Pharm. Ibrahim Babashehu Ahmed, Pharm. Alhaji Yakassai, Pharm Sir Ike Onyechi, Prof Peace Chinedum Babalola, Vice-Chancelor of Chrisland University , Abeokuta, Ogun State, Dr Margaret Ilomuanya Head of Department Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology Faculty of Pharmacy University of Lagos.

The programme comes up at Old Great Hall, College of Medicine University of Lagos Idi-Araba Lagos, and other attendees can also join virtually through Zoom.