The conference organized by the Near East University Faculty of Pharmacy, the first pharmacy faculty in Northern Cyprus, was organized under the title of “Showcasing Compaction Simulator Research: A Ten-Year Milestone”. The academic studies and sectoral collaborations obtained during the 10-year use of the device, which plays a critical role in tablet formulation development processes in the pharmaceutical industry, were discussed. On the other hand, the place of simulation technology in the pharmaceutical industry and its future potential were also discussed. The conference, attended by the industry experts and scientists from Turkey and the TRNC, provided an important platform for strengthening collaborations between universities and the pharmaceutical industry.
The opening speech was given by Near East University Faculty of Pharmacy Dean Prof. Dr. İhsan Çalış. At the conference; Altınbaş University Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences Department Head N. Buket Aksu made a presentation titled “The Importance of Compaction Simulator in Quality Design (QbD) Studies” and Near East University Faculty of Pharmacy Pharmaceutical Technology Branch Lecturer and Head of Compaction Simulator Center Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yıldız Özalp made a presentation titled “The Role of Compaction Simulator Equipment in Formulation Design”.
Impressive presentations on the subject from young academicians!
The conference, which also included presentations by doctoral and graduate students, featured 8 presentations in three sessions. The conference, which also featured the participation of academicians from other pharmacy faculties in Cyprus, featured presentations by doctoral students in the first session, and presentations by graduate students in the second session.
In the first session; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nailla Jiwa, Dr. Motunrayo Mayowa Onayo, Dr. Joseph Turemi Chunu from Near East University and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Musaab Saada from Lefke European University made presentations. In the second session; Hala Khamis, Adel Aboubakr and Omar Hourani; and in the last session Assoc. Prof. Dr. Alaa Alghananim from Jerash University, Jordan, made presentations.
Prof. Dr. İhsan Çalış: “Compaction Simulator device provides our students with critical skills and prepares them for their professional lives in a well-equipped manner!”
Dean of Near East University Faculty of Pharmacy Prof. Dr. İhsan Çalış emphasized at the opening of the conference that the “Compaction Simulator”, which has been in the faculty since 2012, is only available in Near East University Faculty of Pharmacy in Cyprus and Turkey. Prof. Dr. Çalış stated that this device has been at the center of academic studies on drugs for the last decade and provides students with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the field of pharmaceutical technology. Stating that “Compression simulators imitate the working principles of machines used in real-world tablet manufacturing processes, provide our students with critical skills and prepare them for their professional lives in a well-equipped manner,” Prof. Dr. Çalış also emphasized that this technology also opens the door to strong collaborations between the university and the pharmaceutical industry.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özalp: “Studies conducted with the simulator make great contributions to formulation and process development studies in the pharmaceutical sector.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yıldız Özalp, Lecturer in the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology at the Faculty of Pharmacy of Near East University and Head of the Compaction Simulator Center, focused on the functions of compression simulators in her presentation titled “The Role of Compaction Simulator Equipment in Formulation Design.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yıldız Özalp stated that these devices can simulate the tablet pressing cycle in real time and provide great benefits in drug development and production research. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özalp stated that the opportunities provided by the Compaction Simulator, established in 2012 at the Faculty of Pharmacy of the Near East University, made great contributions to industrial pharmacy studies, and said, “Our center, where the advanced technology StylCam 200R device is used, provides the opportunity to evaluate the compression characteristics in depth by simulating the development and problem-solving processes of drugs in tablet form with the simulator’s electronic detection system and data analysis program.”
In her presentation, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özalp emphasized how the simulator device played a critical role in overcoming the difficulties encountered during limited active ingredient quantities, short development periods and scale-up, and also stated that students received practical and theoretical training in the field of formulation and process development through various courses and workshops.
Prof. Dr. Buket Aksu: “Social and emotional skills are also of great importance in quality management.”
Altınbaş University Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences Department Head Prof. Dr. N. Buket Aksu emphasized the importance of quality management in pharmaceutical production and emphasized the necessity of a holistic approach in the process. She also drew attention to the methods used in tablet production and quality control and the role of social skills. Emphasizing that technical approaches strengthen quality not only with control but also with an understanding of the process, Prof. Dr. Buket Aksu said, “In addition, social and emotional skills are of great importance in quality management. The competencies of individuals such as self-awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making contribute to both their personal development and efficient work within the team, creating a solid quality culture.” Prof. Dr. Buket Aksu also said, “Today, we see a team with advanced social and emotional skills under the management of a very good leader. The work carried out by the team is focused on the integration of “Compaction simulator” and Quality Design (QbD), which is only available within the Near East University in the nearby geography in tablet production, and these studies will definitely shed light on the pharmaceutical sector with both the trained personnel and the studies carried out.”
