The Department of Pharmacy and School of Pharmacy and Public Health (SPPH) at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) organised a seminar marking World Pharmacists Day 2026 at the IUB Auditorium on Saturday (26 September), bringing together representatives from academia, regulatory bodies and the pharmaceutical industry.

Held under the theme “Empowering pharmacists for healthier futures”, the programme highlighted pharmacists’ role in healthcare. According to the press release, it featured keynote speeches, an academia-industry panel discussion, a scientific poster display, and awards.

Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) Director General and Additional Secretary Md Alamgir Hossain attended the seminar as the chief guest.

IUB Vice-Chancellor Professor M Tamim chaired the event. Dr Husne Ara Ali, a member of the IUB Board of Trustees and vice-chairman of the Education, Science, Technology and Cultural Development Trust (ESTCDT), attended as the special guest.

Md Nasser Shahrear Zahedee, president of the Accreditation Committee of the Pharmacy Council of Bangladesh (PCB) and chairman of Radiant Pharmaceuticals Ltd, and Bangladesh Accreditation Council (BAC) Member Professor Dr Md Shah Amran delivered keynote speeches.

A panel discussion titled “Academia-Industry Relationship” brought together representatives from universities and the pharmaceutical industry.

The panellists were Noakhali Science and Technology University Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Mohammad Safiqul Islam; University of Dhaka Department of Pharmacy Chairman Professor Dr Jakir Ahmed Chowdhury; Square Pharmaceuticals PLC Executive Director, Operations, Md Mizanur Rahman; DBL Pharmaceuticals Ltd Chief Operating Officer Md Tanbir Sajib; Everest Pharmaceuticals Ltd Co-Founder and Director, Operations, Mohammad Saiful Islam; and Servier Bangladesh Operations Marketing Director Mohiuddin Andalib.

Dr Akib Bin Rahman, assistant professor in IUB’s Department of Pharmacy, moderated the panel discussion.

Dr Kamran ul Baset, PhD, dean of IUB’s School of Pharmacy and Public Health, was also present on stage.

Senior officials from several pharmaceutical companies and institutions attended the programme.

IUB Department of Pharmacy Associate Professor and Head Dr Nasrin Akhter delivered the welcome remarks.

The programme also featured a scientific poster display, followed by an award ceremony recognising the poster competition winners.

Naima Nusrat Jahan and Rafia Rokaiya Hossain, lecturers in IUB’s Department of Pharmacy, hosted the main programme.