-
Head of National Quality Control Laboratory (NQCL)
Pharm. Dr. Michael Lahai — Head of Department (Manager)
Emails:Bio:Pharm. Dr. Michael Lahai serves as the Head of Department (Manager) for the National Quality Control Laboratory. He began his PBSL journey in 2006 as an Assistant Regulatory Analyst in the laboratory following a Diploma in Pharmacy (2005). She later earned a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) from COMAHS University of Sierra Leone in 2019 and a Master of Science in Environmental Management and Quality Control from Njala University in 2022. Her progression within the laboratory and advanced training underpin her leadership of NQCL’s physicochemical medical devices and microbiology testing services.
Under her stewardship the laboratory supports product registration market surveillance and regulatory enforcement through GLP‑aligned testing issuance of Certificates of Analysis and continuous quality system improvement.
The National Quality Control Laboratory is a key regulatory department of the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone that ensures pharmaceuticals and medical devices meet quality safety and efficacy standards through physicochemical microbiological and performance-based testing aligned with GLP and international pharmacopoeias.
Core Functions:
1. Conduct physicochemical microbiological and performance-based testing on medicines and medical devices.
2. Issue Certificates of Analysis and provide scientific evidence for regulatory decisions.
3. Support post-market surveillance product recalls border inspections and pharmacovigilance investigations.
4. Maintain GLP-compliant quality systems documentation data integrity and laboratory safety protocols.
5. Build capacity and drive continual improvement in line with international best practices.
Units of the Laboratory:
Performs identity tests assay/potency impurity profiling dissolution disintegration pH conductivity and instrumental analyses (HPLC UV‑Vis FTIR titration) to verify strength purity and stability of products.
Evaluates diagnostic and medical devices for performance calibration packaging and labelling integrity and compliance with applicable standards to ensure safety and reliability.
Conducts sterility testing microbial limits pathogen detection endotoxin/pyrogen analyses environmental monitoring of clean areas and water quality testing used in pharmaceutical processes.