By Emma Okereh
The National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) has been successfully re-accredited by the prestigious American Accreditation Board (ANAB) amidst the novel Coronavirus pandemic.
According to a press release by the institute, the reaccreditation earned NIPRD a certificate in Quality Management System following a remote assessment carried out by the Board under the leadership of Prof. Dial to Rossoulou, from Canada.
The Director-General of NIPRD, Dr Obi Adigwe, who expressed joy over the development, noted that the achievement was due to the recently significantly improved Information Technology capabilities and competences in the Institute.
Dr Adigwe upon his appointment had engaged various partners and consequently ensured that almost all NIPRD staff have received new computers and have had access to relevant training.
In part, the stamens read; “Despite the COVID-19 pandemic global lockdown, the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) has successfully achieved a critical international reaccreditation. This means that testing and outcomes, including for coronavirus, which emanates from the Institute are internationally accepted.
“The reaccreditation of NIPRD by the American Accreditation Board (ANAB) for the ANAB certificate ISO/IEC 170252017 in Quality Management System was carried out in March and April this year. Remarkably, NIPRD achieved this reaccreditation amidst COVID 19 pandemic via remote assessment which was undertaken by a team headed by Professor Diallo Rossoulou who led the process from Canada. It is noteworthy that this is the first time that this mode of assessment is being used in the entire region.
“Recalled that between 2013 to 2018 UNIDO assisted in establishment of the National Quality Infrastructure Project (NQIP) for Nigeria towards overcoming technical barrier to global trade for Nigerian goods including herbal and pharmaceutical products.
“Consequently, NIPRD was identified as a critical stakeholder of NQIP in the quality assessment of medicines, food and herbal products towards promoting international trade for those categories of Nigerian goods. To achieve this, it was mandatory for NIPRD to attain global recognition as a conformity assessment body through establishment and implementation of ISO/IEC 17025 Quality Management System standard: and ultimately accreditation certification for competence of testing.”
Following this recent reaccreditation, NIPRD’S ISO certificate which was signed by Douglas Leonard and dated April 2020, is valid till June 2022.
Meanwhile, the Institute acknowledges the support of the NCC USAID and USP towards this reaccreditation. It also pledge its commitment to sustaining and intensifying its activities towards the provision of affordable and high quality medicines, which is the cornerstone for improving access to healthcare whilst stimulating National socioeconomic objectives such as job creation and revenue generation.
