The New Nation - Internet Edition

Aristopharma Ltd, a leading pharmaceutical company of the country has started conducting bio-equivalence research of its medicines for the 1st time in Bangladesh.

By bioequivalence research it is seen whether the local drug is equivalent to the research drug in human body. Such report gives confidence about the quality of a drug as well as helps to export the drug to developed countries.

Aristopharma conducted the 1st bioequivalence research on its antiulcerant drug, Omep capsule in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology of Dhaka University and the study showed that Omep is bioequivalent to the research brand of AstraZeneca, Sweden and hence they are interchangeable. As the price of Omep is only Tk 4 each cap whereas the international price of research brand is Tk 141/cap, the use of Omep would provide the patients a similar drug at much lower price. Principal Researcher and Associate Professor of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology of Dhaka University Dr Abul Hasnat disclosed the information in a scientific seminar held recently at a city hotel.

Prof Dr. AKM Rafique Uddin, ex-professor and Head, Department of Medicine, Dhaka Medical College presided over this seminar and Prof Dr Md Tahir, Vice-Chancellor, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University was present as the chief guest.

Prof Dr Choudhury Mahmood Hasan, Chairman, BCSIR, former Director of Drug Administration and former Dean of Faculty of Pharmacy, Dhaka University was present as special guest.

Prof Dr ASMA Raihan, Chairman, Dept of Gastroenterology, BSMMU discussed the importance of bioequivalence study in clinical practice. Chairman and Managing Director of Aristopharma MA Hassan, Director (Marketing and Commercial) Md Mahboob Hassan, Director (Production) Mahmud Hassan, Director (Finance and Administration) Md Sahid Hassan, Marketing Manager Noor Hossain and other managers of the company were also present at the seminar. Almost 800 doctors from all over the country participated in this seminar. The doctors appreciated the focus of Aristopharma in research and development of pharmaceutical sector of the country.