Open to opportunities

Lulama Qwele

@lulamaqwele

Message

Senior production pharmacist driving GMP-compliant manufacturing, quality assurance, and supply chain integrity.

South Africa

Message

What I'm looking for

I seek a role where I can lead GMP-driven production and QA, optimize supply chains, and apply clinical governance to improve quality and operational efficiency.

I am a Senior Production Pharmacist and Pharmacy Operations Officer with over 13 years' experience across pharmaceutical manufacturing, managed care, and hospital operations. In my previous role, I lead quality assurance and production integrity at Aspen Pharmacare, ensuring GMP compliance and certified clean-room standards.

My work balances rigorous regulatory oversight with practical production efficiency — from batch manufacturing record management to daily calibration of granulation and compression lines. I have a proven track record of maintaining near-perfect audit trails through Manufacturing Execution Systems and meticulous documentation practices.

Previously at Discovery Health I adjudicated chronic medication applications, applied Prescribed Minimum Benefits legislation, and implemented Drug Utilization Review recommendations that delivered substantial cost savings while preserving clinical outcomes. In the public sector I managed supply chains for 28 remote clinics, preventing stock-outs of critical antiretroviral and chronic medications.

I am a decisive leader committed to process validation, risk assessment, and cross-functional collaboration to optimize pharmaceutical quality and operational performance. I continue to advance my skills with training in Logistics and Transportation Management and pharmacovigilance.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Production Pharmacist

Current

Aspen Pharmacare

Aug 2022 - Present (3 years 7 months)

Oversee production floor operations and GMP compliance, validating BMRs and MES records to safeguard multi-million Rand batches and maintain certified clean room status with a 99.9% final quality pass rate.

GMP MES Environmental Monitoring & QA

Chronic Illness Benefit Pharmacist

Discovery Health

Oct 2015 - Jan 2022 (6 years 3 months)

Adjudicated ~100 chronic medication applications daily with 24-hour turnaround, implemented DUR and generic substitution initiatives that saved the scheme millions, and maintained >95% application review accuracy.

PMB Legislation Data Analysis Claims Adjudication

Hospital Pharmacist

Elizabeth Ross Hospital

Apr 2011 - Sep 2015 (4 years 5 months)

Second-in-charge managing pharmaceutical supply chain for 28 remote clinics, implementing demand planning and inventory controls to prevent stock-outs of antiretrovirals and chronic medications.

Hospital Pharmacy Supply Chain Management Inventory Control demand planning ARV Management Procurement SOPs

Pharmacist Intern

Grey's Hospital

Jan 2010 - Mar 2011 (1 year 2 months)

Completed internship rotations supporting clinical pharmacy services, sterile compounding, and medication dispensing while assisting with hospital pharmacy operations and record-keeping.

Clinical Pharmacy Dispenser Record keeping Patient Counseling Pharmacy Operations Pharmacovigilance

Locum Retail Pharmacist

Clicks Pharmacies

Provided high-volume dispensing and patient counselling, processed Unisolv medical aid claims with 98% first-pass accuracy, and maintained 100% inventory accuracy for Schedule 5/6 substances while supporting branch sales targets.

UNISOLV Dispenser Inventory Control Schedule 5 6 Drug Management Patient Counselling

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

Logistics and Transportation Management (short course)

Short Course, Logistics and Transportation Management

Undertook a short course in Logistics and Transportation Management to advance supply chain and distribution competencies relevant to pharmaceutical logistics.

University of the Western Cape

Bachelor of Pharmacy, Pharmacy

Activities and societies: Alumni Member, UWCAPS (University of the Western Cape Association for Pharmacy Students)

Completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy at the University of the Western Cape, providing foundational clinical and pharmaceutical training for professional pharmacy practice.