Abongile
Damba is a former Research Assistant from the University of Johannesburg
(2019), that is where his career began in an Electrochemistry Laboratory under
the R&D Water & Organic Laboratory, He appreciate Prof. Nonhlangabezo
Mabuba, Dr. Luthando Tshwenya, Pangi Jiyane & Dr. Daniel Masekela for
giving him an opportunity to kick start his career.
He then joined a global company in 2019-2020, Tiger Brands as a Work Experience student in a position of being a Junior Product Development Technologist at an R&D department of Family, Home and Personal Care products.
His research skills and
experience increased gradually by the help of the Home, Personal and Baby Care
Team at Tiger.
He has had a major impact to the R&D function - his impact was felt within the first few months where he successfully cost-optimised our Thick Bleach formulation.
He later helped in the fine-tuning of the emulsion processing time and his lab work resulted in up to 50% reduction in processing time.
He also
worked on the Hand Sanitiser formulation that was later distributed to all
Tiger Employees to help curb the spread of Covid-19 within Tiger.
The year was not a normal one for him during that period due to Covid-19, thus He had to Venture his career into the Mining Industry, even though he is still passionate and willing to go back to the research departments especially in the Clinical Research Organizations and Pharmaceutical Companies as a Clinical Research Associate, Regulatory Affairs Associate or Project Management Analyst, He is also open to other relevant positions.
He has been in the Mining industry
for approximately 2 years now.
1. How does one go about pursuing a profession in pharmacy?
I believe that it is possible for anyone to pursue a profession in the Pharmaceutical Industry as long that person has a Mathematics and Sciences back ground.
Ever since I was growing up in the rural Areas of Mount Frere, I always dreamed of becoming one of the best Pharmaceutical Scientists or Clinical Research Professionals but I could not study Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy due to my lower Grade 12 grades.
That did not stop me from fulfilling my dream of being a Pharmaceutical
Scientist, I started where I qualify (National Diploma in Analytical
Chemistry), worked so hard until I obtained the qualification and then applied
to the Pharmaceutical department.
2. Does it really matter what time of day you take medications?
The Pharmacist may recommend a patient to take a medicine at the same time each day, depending on the factors such as the physicochemical properties of the medicine, physiological properties of the patient (whether it should be administered in the fast or fed state), disease state or the route od administration of that medicine.
Other medicines are prescribed to be administered be any time of the
day following the patient information leaflet.
Note: Human medicine should be registered by authorized Regulatory Authority before marketed to the public. They are scheduled into:
S0 – On shelf at a general store or pharmacy
S1-S2 – Over the
counter at a pharmacy
S3-S6 –
Prescription only @ Pharmacy dispensary
S7 – controlled
substance and S8 – strictly controlled substance.
3. How long can medicine be used after the expiration date?
Expiration date on medicine is the date up to which a medicine will retain the strength and other properties as stated on the label which strength and other properties can change after a lapse of time.
Answering your question, a medicine shall not be
sold or marketed to the public after the expiration date.
4. How should medicines be stored?
The storage of a medicine depends on its physicochemical properties. Some medicines that oxidise when direct into sunlight or light are stored opaque or amber containers.
Those that degrade in the presence of heat should be stored in at least 4 Degrees Celsius temperature or under, e.g. Vaccines, some medicine does not tolerate being stored in a glass or plastic and other medicine does not tolerate moisture.
It is very important to look at the physicochemical properties of the
dosage form or drug itself before storage.
5. What vaccinations are important for seniors?
I do not have an
answer for that question for now. I am willing to do a research on that, it
might be my next huge research project, who knows!! ha-ha!!
6. Which is your favourite book and why?
My favourite book is the book written by Buyi Mbambo called “In touch”.
It reminds me of my back ground and the people who played a major role in raising me especially my late grandmothers (Nomlindelo Mgengo & Nofezile Damba and My late grandfather (Khukhumele Damba).
I have not finished reading the book but it has changed the way I deal
with real life challenges.
Interviewed by - Sugandha Dhanawade
.JPG)
0 Comments