African advisor for WHO visits the Potchefstroom Campus

The regional advisor for Pharmaceutics of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Essential Medicines Programme in the African Region, Dr Moses Chisale, visited the World Health Collaborating Centre for the Quality Assurance of Medicine situated at the North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus. As part of the annual review process of the activities and new initiatives of the WHO-CC, Dr Chisale also met with the Campus Rector, Prof Herman van Schalkwyk to discuss the ongoing relationship between the NWU and the WHO.

  The North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus is designated by the WHO Director-General as a WHO Collaborating Centre to form part of an international collaborative network carrying out activities in support of the WHO’s programme at all levels. Only institutions showing a growing capacity to fulfil a function or functions related to the WHO's programme, as well as institutions of high scientific and technical standing having attained international recognition, qualify for designation as WHO Collaborating Centres.
  The WHO-CC at the NWU is managed within Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services Section within the School of Pharmacy and is governed by various approved terms of reference.
• Development and validation of analytical procedures suitable for quality screening of products in the African region.
• Exercising quality control and assurance over medicinal products.
• Training of regulatory officials and quality control laboratory personnel in any aspect related to their work. In collaboration with the Afro-regional office of the WHO, the Collaborating Centre performed a training need assessment with regards to the training needs of quality control laboratories in 46 African countries.  The questionnaire was developed by Dr Marius Brits, deputy director of the Collaborating Centre, with the assistance of Dr Moses Chisale.
  Prof Banie Boneschans (Head of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Services of the School of Pharmacy) mentioned that various countries are lacking the knowledge and skills to ensure adequate quality control of medicines and this project aims to empower and ensure the transfer of knowledge to such countries. 
• Research into the development of a medicines quality control and testing strategy for Africa.
• Consulting and the establishment and management of quality control laboratories and systems in the Region.
  The WHO-CC assists by sharing information and providing expertise to member states in the region for establishing quality control laboratories and assist in the management of quality systems.