REFLECTION ON BIORISK MANAGEMENT

The discussion we had about Biorisk Management introduced the idea that all

laboratories are responsible for biosafety and biosecurity that protects the workers, animal

populations, and the environment from exposure or spread of pathogens. We all know that

laboratories are used for clinical medicine, research, the development of pharmaceutical

products, the diagnosis of diseases and the confirmation of biological findings. Now what was

made in the laboratories should be kept inside the laboratories unless it is needed to be

transferred, that is, where the laboratory biosafety comes in to safeguard individuals from the

risk of accidental release of dangerous pathogens and toxins and laboratory biosecurity to

prevent loss, theft, misuse, diversion of, unauthorized access or intentional unauthorized release

of biological agents and toxins.

This lesson instills in my mind that as a future pharmacist and as part of the health care

system in handling valuable biological materials we should be lenient in identifying,

implementing and maintaining appropriate biosafety and biosecurity measures. There should be

no room for mistakes such that, one unintentional or intentional mistake could lead into the

exposure of perilous pathogens or biological agents and as a consequence of that, the death of

millions of people and even worse damage our environment.

I think we can reflect this on what we are experiencing right now. This Covid-19

pandemic is after all a mistake in the control and accountability for VBM. Just imagine how

many lives it has taken and how many people all around the world suffered by one single

mistake. Even though we’re beginning to adapt to the new normal, we can never bring back the

LIFE we had before Covid-19 happened. Lots of brilliant minds are working now for the

vaccines so as to save the many, but it takes years to complete the clinical trials of such vaccines.

Imagine how many lives will still suffer within the scope of waiting for a vaccine to be approved

Therefore to prevent such deleterious effect it is crucial to follow laboratory biorisk

management which involves the identification of biologic agent or toxin and possible biological

risks, it is also important to have proper documentation of the processes done and to identify

appropriate control measures which includes the administrative, operational, engineering and of

course personal protective equipment controls.

 On top of all that, it is the intention of health care to do ‘no harm’ so as a future

healthcare provider, it is my job to study well in my class not just in Pharmacology because the

knowledge that I will learn today will be my medium of competence in the future.