The second international research conference held at Al-Shifa Research Centre and focused on cooperation and integration for the rise of the clinical trial industry in Pakistan.
The second international research conference, entitled “Landscape of Clinical Trials in Pakistan,” was held on Thursday at the Al-Shifa Research Centre and focused on cooperation and integration for the rise of the clinical trial industry in Pakistan.
The goal of the conference, which was held at Al-Shifa Eye Hospital in Rawalpindi, was to give industry experts and participants a wide-ranging forum for thought-exchange and to present a strategy for the advancement of clinical trial research in Pakistan.
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, the chief guest and director of the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), Karachi, as well as the coordinator general of COMSTECH, stressed the significance of promoting the clinical trial industry, which will soon result in the growth of the domestic pharmaceutical sector and novel medical devices.
Instead of providing services, he noted, “We can be innovators in this field with both economic benefits as well as sustainability for our country’s health sector.” According to Dr. Iqbal, China used the same strategy, particularly in its battle against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maj Gen (r) Rehmat Khan, president of the Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, discussed the accomplishments of the Al-Shifa Research Center and emphasised the significance of clinical trials. He explained how the trust worked to bring the clinical trials industry to Pakistan under Dr. Ume Sughra.
Khan also mentioned the trust’s assistance with the recent floods, which included giving Rs 60 million to flood victims and holding free medical clinics to provide basic medical care.
Prof. Dr. Wajid Ali Khan, dean and chief of medical services at Al Shifa Trust Eye Hospital, thanked Dr. Choudhary for paving the way for Al Shifa to become a clinical trial site. Previously, only India was recognised internationally for conducting clinical trials in the area.
Prof. Dr. Saima Saeed, director of the Indus Hospital, Prof. Dr. Tanwir Khaliq, vice chancellor and dean of the Health Services Academy in Islamabad, and Prof. Dr. Shahzad Ali Khan, vice chancellor and dean of the Dow University of Health Sciences, delivered keynote addresses.