The Singapore Academy of GxP Excellence (SAGE) is set up in response to a growing demand for safe, effective and quality health products coupled with more stringent scientific standards of health product regulations.

NUS is working with Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the Health Sciences Authority of Singapore (HSA), the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and leading pharmaceutical companies to develop training programmes and guidelines in manufacturing, clinical research and health product safety or vigilance.

The guidelines will cover quality and efficacious medicines, biological products, cosmetics, health supplements, traditional medicines and medical devices for public use.

SAGE will offer, through NUS Extension, multi-institutional-based programmes that meet the evolving global needs of the pharmaceutical industry.

Associate Professor Chan Sui Yung, who heads SAGE as well as the Department of Pharmacy at NUS, said: 'The faculty members at SAGE will be drawn from the academia, health authorities and major industry players in Singapore and overseas.'

'It will be the first centre in this region that will harness state-of-the-art technologies to deliver global programmes efficiently and effectively. It will continually identify education and training gaps and provide relevant course content.'

Targeting professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) employed by the pharmaceutical industry and those who are interested to make a switch to the industry, SAGE will offer continuing education for basic degree holders and those with Diploma and ITE qualifications.

The Academy plans to train 300 to 500 professionals each year.

For more information on SAGE and course details, members of the public can refer to http://www.pharmacy.nus.edu.sg/SAGE.htm or call 65168977.