DUHS graduates first batch in pharmaceutical regulatory sciences


IV Report

KARACHI: Medical and pharmaceutical dignitaries at a ceremony held at Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) highlighted the role of regulatory science in strengthening Pakistan’s healthcare system and pharmaceutical sector.

The event, organised by the Dow Institute of Biological, Biochemical, and Pharmaceutical Sciences (IBBPS), marked the awarding of certificates to the first batch of about 230 graduates of a six-month programme in pharmaceutical regulations. The initiative, according to organisers, aims to equip young professionals with essential skills needed to align Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry with global standards.

Speakers stressed that the diploma holders would prove instrumental in boosting pharmaceutical exports, noting that the country has long lacked trained professionals in regulatory affairs—a key obstacle to enhancing international trade.

DUHS Vice Chancellor Prof Jehan Ara Hasan, who was the chief guest, awarded diplomas to the graduates along with former DUHS VC Prof Dr M. Saeed Qureshy and IBBPS Executive Director Dr Izhar Hussain. Shields were also presented to individuals who contributed to advancing the programme, according to a university press release.

In her remarks, Prof Hasan said DUHS was not merely a medical education institution but a comprehensive healthcare system pioneering new pathways in professional education across Pakistan. She emphasised that the introduction of regulatory sciences was in line with the university’s broader vision of contributing to national development and improving patient safety.

Tauqeer-ul-Haq, CEO of Santé Pharma, underlined the longstanding need for regulatory science experts, noting that 80 per cent of the local pharmaceutical market share is held by national companies. Without professionals trained in both international and local regulatory frameworks, he said, Pakistan could not hope to expand its exports.

Pharmaceutical industrialists including Saif-ur-Rehman Khattak, Sheikh Qaiser Waheed, Iftikhar Jafri, and Sultan Ghani also addressed the ceremony. They acknowledged the programme as a timely intervention to meet the sector’s pressing needs.

Speakers agreed that the graduation of the first batch of Professional Pharmaceutical Regulatory Sciences diploma holders was a breakthrough for the industry, expected to enhance the capacity of the local sector, improve compliance with international requirements, and ultimately support the growth of Pakistani exports in global markets.

Photos courtesy: DUHS

 

With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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