Various comments by FOI members on the lack of local specialised training facilities for the sectors that manufacture products for human contact prompted the federation to seek academic solutions.

Through a focus group within the FOI Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Sector Group, which studied the educational needs of the local manufacturing sectors, particularly those related to the health sector, a proposal for the establishment of a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Chemistry was drawn up.

Thanks to the support of the Malta Enterprise, the collaboration from the Chemistry Department within the Faculty of Science at the University of Malta, the backing of the Minister of Education, Youth and Employment and the Minister for Investment, Industry and IT, this course is now possible from this coming academic year.

This course is designed for all people aiming for, or holding, a key position at manufacturing firms and service providers within the health sector, be it positions related to quality, regulatory affairs, production, product development, etc.

The course will enable all key positions within a company to gain access to better and more focused education than is currently being offered at University.

Thus, the course will ensure that there is a broad and mutual understanding throughout the organisation as to good practice in day-to-day operations.

It also aims at improving the understanding of the responsibilities that a Qualified Person (QP) or Responsible Person (RP) should focus on in ensuring the quality, safety and efficacy of medicinal products, and the health of the patient.

It is also important to note that the criteria for the proposed postgraduate course would be the possession of a relevant first degree, such as a degree in Pharmacy or a B.Sc. with Chemistry as a main subject.

The course would be run on a part-time basis, with the proposed flexible timetable. This should include weekends and evenings, apart from when foreign lecturers are brought over. In such cases, limited day releases would also have to be considered.

Moreover, in view of the examination conducted by the Medicines Authority for the recognition of a QP's eligibility to practice, the Medicines Authority has also been approached on this new initiative.

This authority has recently confirmed that individuals completing this new postgraduate diploma would be better prepared to approach the QP eligibility interview.

The FOI encourages all manufacturing concerns and other business operators in the health sector to avail themselves of this opportunity and send officials to sit for this course, for only in this way can this initiative truly be a success.

Interested parties are urged to contact Cecilia Vella, executive, Malta Federation of Industry, on 2123-4428, 2122-2074 or e-mail: cecilia.vella@foi.org.mt by not later than Friday.