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One of the North East’s fastest growing companies, The Specials Laboratory is building on a long-term partnership with Tyne Metropolitan College that has seen nine of its staff sign up for a specialist BTEC course in Pharmacy Services.
So far five people have completed the course, which is perfectly suited to the training needs of production operatives at the Specials facility in Prudhoe, Northumberland, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of specially made unlicensed medicines for the retail pharmaceutical and healthcare markets, including controlled clinical trials. Another three have recently commenced their second year and the latest team member to sign up is Helen Anderson, who works for Specials Clinical Manufacturing, sister company of The Specials Laboratory.
“As a specialist manufacturer, we are dedicated to staff training and development, so it’s great to have the necessary training provision here in the North East,” says Margaret Massey, who achieved the qualification in 2006 and now acts as co-ordinator for other Specials employees on the course. “The TyneMet qualification covers all of the necessary areas to give our staff a thorough grounding in the processes and science of drug manufacture.”
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The two year BTEC National Certificate in Pharmacy Services is unique in the North East, providing a vital resource for the region’s burgeoning medical sector. It is designed to equip individuals with the knowledge, understanding and practical skills required for success in the pharmaceutical sector. Topics covered in the syllabus include Scientific Principles for Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Law and Practice, Action and Uses of Drugs, Human Physiology, Microbiology for Pharmacy and Pharmacy Production.
In addition to sending employees on the course, The Specials Laboratory provides senior staff members to deliver specialist lectures and assessment assistance, as well as free glassware and pharmaceutical samples. Students are also invited on an annual visit to view the world class clean room facilities at the Specials manufacturing site, while the highest performer on the course receives a cash prize from the company.
Helen joined The Specials Laboratory after working for three years at Newcastle General Hospital. She was selected for the Pharmacy Services course via an internal application process which takes place every year, when all interested employees can register their interest in the course and those likely to benefit most are put forward.
“I joined the team in 2003 and I’ve found that the TyneMet course is really adding to my existing knowledge and experience,” says Helen, who lives in Burnopfield. “It’s so vital in our industry that the highest standards of quality control are maintained and this qualification helps us to comprehend how to handle medicines, as well as why things like hygiene and dosage are so important.”
The course is one of a series of bespoke qualifications offered by TyneMet to meet the training needs of local and regional employers, providing the services and support that specialist businesses need to operate and expand in the North East.
“Most of the trainee pharmaceutical technicians in the North East come on this course and we have a long track record of success with Specials, leading to a steady stream of students completing the BTEC Pharmacy Services course since 2004,” says Angela McLean, Course Co-ordinator for TyneMet. “This is just one example of how we work to help maintain and boost skill levels in the region’s workforce.”
The Specials Laboratory has invested more than £5 million in state of the art clean room technology and, along with Specials Clinical Manufacturing, the business employs more than 150 people. An experienced team of pharmacists and technicians create bespoke treatments for a huge range of illnesses and have access to a wide range of unique dosage delivery systems.
