KARACHI: Senior medical professionals and health experts have urged the industrial sector, especially the Pakistani pharmaceutical companies to come forward and provide funds to the academic institutions and researchers to conduct local studies, saying in developed countries, most of the research projects at the universities are funded by the industry.

They deplored that no Pakistani University was among top 500 varsities in term of conducting research, especially in the field of medical sciences and added that huge financial and material resources were required to initiate quality research to find out local solutions of the health issues and problems being faced by the nation.

They were speaking at the launching of an initiative to provide research grants to young medical professionals and students to start new research projects in their respective areas to find indigenous solutions for diseases and health issues in Pakistan.

Titled “Pharmevo Clinical Research Grant”, the funding project is a joint venture of Pakistan Journal of Medicine Sciences in collaboration with Clinision , a research organization while funds for the research projects would be provided by the local pharmaceutical firm Pharmevo.

Under the project, young researchers can apply for grants up to three hundred thousand rupees for their research projects in the area of medical sciences that would be completed within 18 months. Applications for the research grants would be accepted from July 1 and by November 30, 2021, the process would be completed and grants would be distributed among the aspiring candidates.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, renowned pharmacist and Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pharmevo Syed Jamsahid Ahmed said they were trying to improve the image of pharmaceutical industry in Pakistan by promoting research and academic activities in the country and asked the young medical professionals and students to take advantage of this opportunity to materlize their dreams of conducting research.

Speaking on the occasion, Shaukat Ali Jawaid, editor of Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences said they decided to collaborate with a pharmaceutical firm to help out young Pakistani researchers who wish to conduct research on local health issues but due to lack of resources, could not materialize their dreams.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021