Professional Competency Assessment of Pharmacy Technicians in Microbiological Quality Assurance Across Manufacturing Plants in Ogun State

Pharmacy technicians involved in pharmaceutical manufacturing occupy critical roles in executing microbiological quality assurance (QA) procedures, yet their competencies in this domain are rarely formally evaluated in Nigerian industrial settings. This study assessed the microbiological QA competencies of pharmacy technicians employed in pharmaceutical manufacturing plants in Ogun State, South West Nigeria. A validated structured competency assessment tool covering microbial limits testing, environmental monitoring, sterility assurance, and clean room behavior was administered to 80 pharmacy technicians from eight manufacturing facilities. Practical skills were assessed by direct observation of selected procedures. Facility managers were interviewed on training provision and competency verification practices. Results revealed mean competency scores of 56.4 percent, falling below the 70 percent benchmark set for pharmaceutical quality system competence. The lowest scores were in sterility testing interpretation (48.2%) and environmental monitoring documentation (51.6%). Only 37.5 percent of respondents reported receiving annual structured microbiological QA training. Facilities with ISO 9001-certified quality management systems showed significantly higher technician competency scores than non-certified facilities. These findings indicate a substantial competency gap among pharmacy technicians in microbiological QA functions in Ogun State's pharmaceutical sector and highlight the need for mandatory continuing professional development, competency-based assessment frameworks, and regulatory oversight of human capacity in pharmaceutical quality systems. Keywords: pharmacy technicians, microbiological quality assurance, competency, pharmaceutical manufacturing, Ogun State.