TNMU Students Visited the Manufacturing Facilities of “Pharma Start” by Acino
On November 20-21, 2024, nine scholarship winners from TNMU’s Faculty of Pharmacy, accompanied by Dean Dmytro Korobko and the Head of the Department of General Chemistry, Hryhoriy Zahrychuk, had a unique two-day opportunity to explore the operations of “Pharma Start,” a manufacturing facility of Acino, and engage with representatives of various departments of the company.
The partnership between I. Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University and the pharmaceutical company Acino encompasses several areas, one of which is the scholarship program to support talented students.
Acino in Ukraine is part of the Swiss pharmaceutical group Acino, specializing in developing, producing, and promoting high-tech, effective, safe, generic, and innovative medications and dietary supplements. Acino serves as the regional headquarters for its operations in Moldova, Kazakhstan, the Caucasus cluster, and Central Asia. The company is a leader in Ukraine’s pharmaceutical market, offering solutions in neurology, psychiatry, cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, pediatrics, and therapy.
“Pharma Start” boasts modern manufacturing facilities certified to EU GMP standards and is a major exporter of pharmaceutical products to 11 countries. It also houses an R&D department focused on developing generic medications, introducing 2-3 new products annually.
Following a safety briefing, the TNMU delegation toured the facility, observing the complete production process, from receiving raw materials to packaging and releasing finished products. The visitors learned about quality control measures at each production stage, shelf-life studies, and the storage of active pharmaceutical ingredients and finished products. Nataliia Mindak, Director of Quality Control, organized an informative tour.
The second day featured insights into various company operations. Nataliia Protasova, Director of Manufacturing, inspired students with a discussion on career growth opportunities for employees starting from production lines. Nataliia Asmolova, Director of R&D, provided an in-depth overview of Acino’s innovative projects and emphasized opportunities for students and graduates to join the R&D team.
Acino’s Ukraine office is unique because it houses an R&D department, making it a hub for innovation. Yuliia Shulha explained the global and local tasks handled by her department.
Svitlana Koval discussed the intricacies of regulatory and approval processes using modern electronic platforms.
Dmytro Korzynin highlighted the critical role of quality assurance at every production stage, while Alla Tereshchenko elaborated on the ethical aspects of working as a medical representative at Acino.
On behalf of the scholarship recipients — Alina Berbenychuk, Vita Volianyuk, Kateryna Lipka, Diana Melnyk, Anastasiia Mykhalska, Khrystyna Monastyrska, Karina Savych, Oksana Serafym, and Alina Tymochko — as well as Dean Dmytro Korobko and Department Head Hryhoriy Zahrychuk, TNMU extends heartfelt gratitude to Acino Ukraine’s General Director Yevhen Zayika, Global HR Business Partner Iryna Lebed, and all contributors to the event, including Nataliia Mindak, Nataliia Protasova, Nataliia Asmolova, Olha Shulha, Svitlana Koval, Dmytro Korzynin, Alla Tereshchenko, Yuliia Holenska, and Iryna Boyko.
The two-day program offered a rich experience, a warm atmosphere, and valuable insights into modern pharmaceutical processes, providing young talents with inspiration and motivation for professional growth.