Promoting research: A step towards technological progress
CBSCR promises to reform the future of drug testing in Pakistan
PHOTO: INP
KARACHI:
The Center for Bioequivalence Studies and Clinical Research (CBSCR) promises to broaden the scope and scale of drug testing and clinical research in Pakistan.
CBSCR is the research department of Dr Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD) that operates under University of Karachi's International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS). The construction of CBSCR's building is a milestone in terms of research development achieved by ICCBS professors and researchers. Federal minister for planning, development and reform, Ahsan Iqbal, inaugurated the building on Saturday.
"CBSCR has two wings under it, one is for bioequivalence studies and the other is for clinical research," explained ICCBS director, Prof Dr Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary.
The institute will enable us to address many unanswered questions of medicine. For instance why does Pakistan have the highest number of kidney stone patients, he said. CBSCR offers, for the first time in Pakistan, a unique facility of 'certified reference laboratory' that will conduct bioequivalence evaluation, he claimed. The centre will also cater to the development of generic pharmaceutical products in full compliance with the regulatory authorities in Europe, USA and Japan, he added.
If we compare Pakistan's graphs of the past 30 years, it can be observed that technology has boosted educational learning in the country, said ICCBS patron-in-chief Prof Dr Attaur Rahman. "This institute will help us test drugs that was not possible before." Encouraging the students to gain technological and research education, he said that universities are not just buildings but beautiful minds that take the country forward.
"The federal government has increased the development budget for Higher Education Commission to Rs78 billion from Rs43 billion in the last two years," said Iqbal. "This will allow us to increase our exports." Testing medicines will enable us to produce good quality drugs that can be exported to our neighbouring countries, he explained.
CBSCR will portray a positive image of the university and the country, he said. Such centres will enhance the quality and the scope of research in future, he added.
As a nation, we are not stable enough to support and encourage new inventions and that has worked to our disadvantage, Iqbal said. "One has to be stable to bring about change." He also explained how self-doubt and low self-esteem has affected the education and research sector in the country.
Since the past 68 years, Pakistani's have been viewing the glass as half full, he said. "We should be focusing on the ways we can fill the empty glass," he added. He motivated the audience members quoting a Forbes article, 'Pakistan: The Next Colombia Success Story?', and explained the significance of clinical research and technological studies.
"This institute is an example of public-private partnership that exemplifies how the promotion of science and technology improves the research," said Aziz Latif Jamal, Hussain Ebrahim Jamal Foundation chairperson.
Bioequivalence testing holds immense significance, said Saeed Allahwala, Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association president. Testing needs to be promoted, either before exporting or after it, but it should be done in every country, he added.
Along with the federal minister, KU vice-chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Qaiser and Dr Panjwani Memorial Trust chairperson Nadira Panjwani, were also present at the inauguration.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 23rd, 2015.
The Center for Bioequivalence Studies and Clinical Research (CBSCR) promises to broaden the scope and scale of drug testing and clinical research in Pakistan.
CBSCR is the research department of Dr Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD) that operates under University of Karachi's International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS). The construction of CBSCR's building is a milestone in terms of research development achieved by ICCBS professors and researchers. Federal minister for planning, development and reform, Ahsan Iqbal, inaugurated the building on Saturday.
"CBSCR has two wings under it, one is for bioequivalence studies and the other is for clinical research," explained ICCBS director, Prof Dr Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary.
The institute will enable us to address many unanswered questions of medicine. For instance why does Pakistan have the highest number of kidney stone patients, he said. CBSCR offers, for the first time in Pakistan, a unique facility of 'certified reference laboratory' that will conduct bioequivalence evaluation, he claimed. The centre will also cater to the development of generic pharmaceutical products in full compliance with the regulatory authorities in Europe, USA and Japan, he added.
If we compare Pakistan's graphs of the past 30 years, it can be observed that technology has boosted educational learning in the country, said ICCBS patron-in-chief Prof Dr Attaur Rahman. "This institute will help us test drugs that was not possible before." Encouraging the students to gain technological and research education, he said that universities are not just buildings but beautiful minds that take the country forward.
"The federal government has increased the development budget for Higher Education Commission to Rs78 billion from Rs43 billion in the last two years," said Iqbal. "This will allow us to increase our exports." Testing medicines will enable us to produce good quality drugs that can be exported to our neighbouring countries, he explained.
CBSCR will portray a positive image of the university and the country, he said. Such centres will enhance the quality and the scope of research in future, he added.
As a nation, we are not stable enough to support and encourage new inventions and that has worked to our disadvantage, Iqbal said. "One has to be stable to bring about change." He also explained how self-doubt and low self-esteem has affected the education and research sector in the country.
Since the past 68 years, Pakistani's have been viewing the glass as half full, he said. "We should be focusing on the ways we can fill the empty glass," he added. He motivated the audience members quoting a Forbes article, 'Pakistan: The Next Colombia Success Story?', and explained the significance of clinical research and technological studies.
"This institute is an example of public-private partnership that exemplifies how the promotion of science and technology improves the research," said Aziz Latif Jamal, Hussain Ebrahim Jamal Foundation chairperson.
Bioequivalence testing holds immense significance, said Saeed Allahwala, Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association president. Testing needs to be promoted, either before exporting or after it, but it should be done in every country, he added.
Along with the federal minister, KU vice-chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Qaiser and Dr Panjwani Memorial Trust chairperson Nadira Panjwani, were also present at the inauguration.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 23rd, 2015.