Scientific and Educational Center for Control and Monitoring of the Quality of Medicines presents its scientific and methodological capabilities

The scientific-educational center serves as an important bridge between the pharmacy network, research centers, and universities. It contributes to strengthening collaborative ties and uncovering new prospects for development. 

Ashot Saghyan, President of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, founder of both YSU Institute of Pharmacy and the Scientific and Educational Center for Control and Monitoring of the Quality of Medicines, emphasized that the center plays a significant role for Armenia through its diverse range of services, despite the fact that amendments made in 2019 to the RA Law on Medicines no longer require additional testing of imported drugs within the country. 

"In this context, we have an important role to play in advancing the field of pharmaceutical science in Armenia. Our priority is to ensure that any drug imported into the country undergoes proper examination. For example, chemical substances exported to European countries are subjected to additional testing upon arrival," he noted, highlighting that this approach is crucial for mitigating potential risks.

Ashot Saghyan also stressed: "Over the past year, the center has been equipped with modern instruments, received accreditation from the National Accreditation Body, and conducted professional development trainings. The laboratory provides a wide range of services across various fields. The main goal of today’s workshop is to present our capabilities and foster new collaborative partnerships." 

Elina Asriyan, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at YSU, underlining the center’s importance, stated: "Today, in addition to providing high-quality education, universities must also address societal challenges and respond to current issues. I believe that YSU fulfills this mission with dignity. I am confident that the services offered by the laboratory will work for the benefit of society."

Ani Chakhoyan, an expert at the center, presented the accreditation areas of the Analytical Testing Laboratory, noting: "We conduct testing of single- and multi-component medicines, including raw pharmaceutical materials, antibiotics, vitamins, insulin and its salts, amino acids, glycosides, and other pharmaceutical substances belonging to various chemical groups. We also determine the mass fractions of active and accompanying components in aqueous ammonia, chloramine, and hydrogen peroxide, as well as the mass fractions of chemical elements in water resources and wastewater of manufacturing facilities."

She also highlighted the laboratory’s advanced equipment, which includes an infrared spectrometer, ion chromatograph, high-performance liquid chromatograph, gas chromatograph, microwave digestion system, and other state-of-the-art instruments.

Outlining the services provided by the laboratory, Ani Chakhoyan added that they conduct analyses of medicines and raw pharmaceutical materials, food testing, quantitative and qualitative analysis of essential oils, fatty acids, sugars, alcohols, and vitamins, as well as authentication of natural and synthetic compounds, testing of antimicrobial and antifungal properties, assessment of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, and testing of non-food items such as toys, disinfectants, and alcoholic beverages. The center also offers theoretical and practical training courses on quality management, control, and instrumental analysis.

The workshop ended with the guests touring the laboratory and sharing new ideas. 

The laboratory collaborates with pharmaceutical companies and research institutions, offering the "Drug Quality Control" master’s program as well as other academic programs.