News Flash!=))

$600 MILLION VACCINE PLANT OPENS IN TUAS

The pharmaceutical industry in Singapore has been given a boost, with the opening of the state of the art GSK (GlaxoSmithKline). The plant will be able to produce biologic drugs, which are have natural products, such as blood or bacteria, and Singapore is one of the few countries in the world that has the capability. The hygiene measures needed in this factory are extremely stringent. Though the plant opened yesterday, production will only begin in 2011. The reason for this is that it takes two years for the auditors from around the world to satisfy themselves that the standards at Tuas are up to standard. In all the plants cost an estimated $3 billion, and will employ over 1,000 people. GSK also announced that it was setting up a $30 million endowment fund for graduate studies in sustainable manufacturing processes, green chemistry and health policies.


My opinions

- I think that this will provide many Singaporeans with job opportunities, especially during the recession, which has left many people retrenched. However, the downside is that they have to be highly skilled. Yet, they still have chances to get the job. I also think that the $30 million fund set up by GSK was very generous and they are strengthening the ties between Singapore and GSK. The endowment fund will allow the government to dip into it for enrichment trips and learning journeys, like our school.


- I also approve the stringent hygiene measures implemented in the biological drug factories as people are consuming these drugs that they produce and their life may hang in the balance. If accidentally one careless person drops a millilitre more of solution into the medicine, the consumer could die. This is why they only employ highly skilled people. If the plastic packaging is slightly mouldy, they medicines will be spoilt. This is why they have such stringent hygiene and staff choosing measures. I fully approve of these measures, and will strongly support any increase in their hygiene measures.