MARIA SOLEDAD M. LOPEZ-DISTOR
Registered Chemist
A licensed Chemist presently connected with the Philippine-Food and Drug Administration (formerly
Bureau of Food And Drugs, BFAD). When she joined the FDA of November 2003, she was assigned with
the Antibiotic Section of the Laboratory Services Division. Now, she is with the ASEAN Reference
Standards/Research Section of the Central Laboratory tasked to establish pharmaceutical Reference
Standards. In collaboration with other national and regional regulatory laboratories of ASEAN member
states, the commitment to make available and affordable reference standards and assurance of quality
in the pharmaceutical industry was ensured for public health and safety.
The Central Laboratory of the FDA is an ISO 17025 accredited facility as of April 2010. FDA on the other
hand is an ISO 9000:2008 accredited facility as of May 2013. She is an approved signatory for ISO 17025
tests on pharmaceutical products, both on finished dosage forms and active pharmaceutical
ingredient/bulk material for antibiotics and drug products. She is also a member of the Laboratory’s
QMS-Document Control Committee.
Professional Experience
Part-time Instructor, BA/HRM Department-Systems Technology Institute Sta. Rosa Laguna
(June 2009 to March 2011)
Handles lectures on Natural Sciences, Food Sanitation and Hygiene, Total Quality Management and
Human Resources Management.
Chemist, Laboratory Services Division-Technology Resource Development Department (National Food
Authority) March 1998 to November 2003
Conducts chemical analyses and tests of grains and grain by products to include proximate analysis,
aflatoxin tests and other special tests to determine its chemical composition and nutrient content and
conduct same on sample from other government and private agencies and interested parties.
Conceptualizes and implements researches on laboratory standards and procedures on grains and by
products in support to research activities and operation needs.
Quality Assurance Chemist- Bottled Water Department/Brewery Division- Asia Brewery Inc.
(December 1996-July 1997)
Conducts chemical analyses and tests for bottled water using official analytical methods to include
conductivity, alkalinity and hardness in conformance to standard specifications as a means of monitoring
quality of raw materials and finished products. Assists in the development of methodology/techniques
for the analysis of sample as specifically required for establishing quality standards and product
specifications and conducts validation on the same. Prepares reports on the results of analysis and
makes necessary evaluation with regards to conformance to specifications.
Educational Experience
Master in Management, Major in Public Administration October 2002 – May 2007
Laguna College of Business and Arts- Calamba, Laguna Philippines
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry June 1991- April 1996
University of the Philippines Los Banos -Los Banos, Laguna Philippines
“Isolation and Partial Characterization of an Antioxidant from Oregano Leaves, Coleus amboinicus sp.”
abstract accepted for poster presentation at the 2000 Philippine Chemistry Congress held at the
Shangrila Hotel, Ortigas Manila, Philippines
Professional Certificate/Licenses
Philippine Chemistry Licensure Exam: September 1996 - passed
Career Service Professional Exam: May 2003 –passed
Summary of Trainings
3rd ASEAN-USP Scientific Symposium and 2nd Stakeholders Forum
“Strengthening Regional Collaboration to Ensure Quality Assurance in Pharmaceuticals”
10-12 June 2013- Hanoi Vietnam
Laboratory Quality Management Documentation System
16-17 April 2013 Philippine Trade and Training Center-DTI
Pasay City
SEMINAR/WORKSHOP ON MANUAL OF OPERATIONS FOR SCREENING DRUG TESTING LABORATORIES
26-28 September 2012 National Reference Laboratory-East Avenue Medical Center
East Avenue, Quezon City
1st ASEAN-USP Scientific Symposium
“Quality of Medicines for Public Health”
26-27 April 2011, Sofitel Bangkok Thailand
Seminar Workshop/ Hands on Training
Spectrophotometry (LCMS) Model 1020EV
8-12 November 2010 Shimadzu PTE Ltd. Singapore
on
Shimadzu
Liquid
Chromatography-Mass
ISO 34 Awareness Seminar
14 October 2010 Philippine Accreditation Office-Department of Trade and Industry, Makati
Training Course on Quality Assurance in Chemical Analysis
22-23 July 2010 Food and Drug Administration Philippines
25th Philippine Chemistry Congress: “Creating Green Solutions through Chemistry”
8-10 April 2010 Philippine Federation of Chemistry Societies- Organic Chemistry Teachers Association
(OCTA)
Training on Good Laboratory Practices and Pharmaceutical Analysis- Dissolution and HPLC
28 September – 2 October 2009 United States Pharmacopoeia/USAID
Training on Measurement Uncertainty
19-20 August 2009 Food and Drug Administration-Laboratory Services Division
Training Course on the Production of ASEAN Reference Standards (Chemical Assay)
7-11 July 2008 Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (JPMA)
Bureau of Drug and Narcotics, Nonthaburi Thailand