SKMA students gain experience in the field of drug quality control at Sechenov University

As part of the implementation of the Memorandum between JSC South Kazakhstan Medical Academy and the First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov (Sechenov University), students of the Pharmacy Faculty of the Academy successfully completed their industrial training on "Quality Control and Standardization of Medicines". The industrial training took place at the A. P. Nelyubin Institute of Pharmacy, one of the leading divisions of Sechenov University, which has many years of experience in training highly qualified pharmaceutical personnel. For several weeks, 4th-year students - Kalen Timur, Nuraly Rakhat, Baimyrzaeva Aigerim, Kerimkul Zhansaya, Akberdieva Ulzhan - had a unique opportunity to deepen their knowledge and practical skills in the field of quality control and standardization of medicines.

Future pharmacists actively participated in laboratory research, studied modern methods of quality control, mastered regulatory documentation, and also became familiar with advanced technologies of pharmaceutical production. The practice was conducted under the guidance of experienced teachers and specialists of the Department of Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Chemistry named after A.P. Arzamastsev, who paid special attention to an individual approach to each student.

At the Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Research, LLC, trainees took part in a master class on "Research into the Bioequivalence of Medicines" and also completed a practical assignment on comparative dissolution kinetics tests at various stages of the life cycle of medicines. During the work, trainees learned how to conduct tests to determine the dissolution medium, temperature, mixing speed, volume of the medium, and type of dissolution apparatus (e.g., basket, paddle); select the sampling time: determine the sampling time points for analyzing the concentration of the dissolved substance; determine the number of samples: calculate the required number of samples to ensure statistical significance of the results.

At the testing laboratory of the Pharmaceutical Analytics Center, students consolidated their skills in working with automatic dispensers, other weighing and measuring instruments, and class A chemical glassware. Individual assignments included preparing solutions of working standard samples with subsequent calculation of the concentrations of the resulting solutions. They also became familiar with the structure, practical, and research activities of the Center, and attended master classes on the use of liquid chromatography and enzyme immunoassay in determining bioequivalence and clinical trials of drugs.

The theoretical block of the program included master classes, trainings and lectures by leading scientists and teachers of Sechenov University and practitioners in the field of circulation of medicines on such topics as: "Functional analysis of medicines", "Chemical and toxicological analysis in the diagnosis of acute poisoning", "Biomedical article through the eyes of the editor-in-chief", "With a diploma of a pharmacist: in science, education and business", "State control and permitting system in the field of circulation of medicines", "Modern aspects of drug development. State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation XV edition", "Research of bioequivalence of medicines", "Biological drugs".

The results of the industrial practice were summed up on the basis of solving situational problems, checking practical skills and computer testing of students who demonstrated deep theoretical knowledge and confident mastery of methods of quality control of medicines, including chemical and physicochemical methods. Thus, the industrial practice program "Quality Control and Standardization of Medicines" was fully completed by the interns. The practice made it possible to confirm the theoretical knowledge of students and consolidate practical skills in pharmaceutical analysis of medicines, which is necessary for the successful fulfillment of the professional tasks of a pharmacist-analyst.

The cultural program was rich, during which the students got acquainted with the main sights of Moscow. The traditional route began with a visit to the monument to the great Kazakh thinker and poet Abai Kunanbayev - a symbol of the spiritual unity of peoples, mutual respect and cultural dialogue. This place became an important starting point in the students' cultural and educational journey.

The route then included a walk along Arbat, one of the oldest streets in Moscow, reflecting the atmosphere of the creative and historical capital. Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral, Alexander Garden, Lenin's Mausoleum - these symbols of Russian history left a deep impression on the program participants. The students paid special attention to visiting museums and galleries, including the Tretyakov Gallery, the State Historical Museum, and the Exhibition of Achievements of National Economy.

We are sincerely grateful for the warm welcome, high level of organization, attentive attitude to each participant and a rich educational program. Work in modern laboratories, participation in scientific discussions, meetings with leading experts in the field of pharmacy - all this left a deep mark on the professional and personal development of each of us.

Industrial practice at a leading Russian university became for students of JSC "UKMA" not only an important stage of professional development, but also valuable international experience. Such initiatives contribute to strengthening academic cooperation between universities and expand the horizons of professional training of future specialists.

On behalf of the staff of the Department of Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Chemistry, as well as a group of students, we express deep and sincere gratitude to the host party - the director of the Institute of Pharmacy of Sechenov University, Professor G.V. Ramenskaya, and an employee of the Center for International Development L.N. Vikhrova for the unique opportunity to undergo industrial practice at one of the world's leading universities - Sechenov University. The staff of the Department of Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Chemistry thanks the management of our Academy for the opportunity to undergo industrial training at one of the leading universities included in the top 150 in the field of "Pharmacy and Pharmacology" in the QS World University Rankings 2025.