The New Nation - Internet Edition

Department of Pharmacy of Primeasia University paid tribute to the world renowned Bangladeshi scientist, Dr. Salah U Ahmed by hosting a lavish reception programme in their Banani campus, Dhaka..

The reception programme was followed by a seminar on the topic "Pharmaceutical Profession in Western World: Present and Future", presented by Dr. Salah U. Ahmed. Dr. Ahmed completed his M. Pharm, from the University of Dhaka in 1977 and moved to USA in 1983. At present he is working as the Executive Vice President and Global Head, Research and Development of Barr Laboratories Inc., USA. He is also associated with MIT and Harvard University in several research projects. In his speech, Dr. Ahmed said that Pharmaceutical Scientists must have strong scientific understandings that they can do things for quality drugs. He commented that Bangladesh can elevate its scientific efforts with the help of very basic research subjects and equipments in Pharmaceutical sector. The basic equipments like spectrophotometer, chromatography, X-ray diffractometer, moisture analyzer, texture analyzer etc. are suitable to be used in basic research purposes in the industry. Research laboratories of our universities can successfully accomplish their basic pharmaceutical research schemes of international standard and quality to upgrade their standard of academics. The research scheme may be on bioequivalence studies, the generic and brand products that can be characterised by their physical, chemical properties and physicochemical parameters. The development of efficient sustained release dosage forms can open a new door of research and development prospects.

Dr. Ahmed mentioned that chemistry is the heart of pharmacy, so pharmacy students should be prudent enough to grasp the basic concepts of physical pharmacy first and then go for study on different dosage forms and their manufacturing, drug development etc. Dr. Ahmed also stressed on development of leadership abilities by our Pharmaceutical manufacturers to become competent in global pharma-market. He mentioned the major reason that Bangladeshis often lag behind others in international community is the lack of their research potentials and communication abilities.

Dr. Ahmed also mentioned that if the pharmaceutical scientists know-how the chemical compounds behave and react, then they will be able to understand the chemistry of active ingredients and recipients for pharmaceutical product formulation and designing.

Therefore, he advised the pharmacy students to learn as best as possible the physicochemical properties of the drugs and additives. Dr. Ahmed also mentioned that the quality of Research and Development Department of a Pharmaceutical Company is the key stone that brings forth international recognition and demands.

Research projects being carried out in USA and European countries are expensive but after all turn profitable. Dr. Ahmed placed an example that in 1993, Barr Laboratories Inc. of New York, USA invested 0.6 million US dollars whereas their turn over was 50 million US dollar..,. The research cost in Barr Laboratcaries has mounted to 250 million US dollars in the year 2007, the turn over being 3 billion US dollars. Now there are 660 employees in Barr Laboratories, 150 among them arc PhD researchers.

Dr. Salah U. Ahmed recommended the local pharmaceutical companies to establish Research and Development (R & D) division wherein all sorts of pharmaceutical and pharmacokinetic parameters of pharmaceuticals can be studied. The establishment and maintenance of R & D at even very limited affordability and budget with necessary basic facilities can be managed by all manufacturers to ensure "quality through bioequivalence and quality by design studies". Quality by design (QBD) and its control will help the local pharmaceutical companies to gain better image and reliability and expand business worldwide. Dr. Ahmed concluded the seminar by saying that 'if in that way we run, we can run faster and if we can run faster, we can be the world champion thereafter'.