KARACHI: The Department of Pharmacology, Ziauddin Medical College, Ziauddin University, organized PharmaCon-2026, titled “Transforming Knowledge into Therapeutics,” bringing together distinguished healthcare professionals, researchers, academicians, and industry leaders to promote scientific collaboration and therapeutic innovation.
The conference aimed to bridge the gap between laboratory research and patient care; it focused on translating scientific discoveries into safe, effective, and accessible treatments.
Addressing the audience, Prof. Dr Muhammad Ali Shaikh, Vice Chancellor, Ziauddin University, said, “Pakistan must move beyond relying on imported knowledge and medicines. Conferences such as PharmaCon connect scientists, clinicians and industry experts to develop local solutions for the people of Pakistan and inspire young researchers to innovate.”
Warning about the growing challenge of drug abuse among young people, Dr Ali Raza Turabi, Additional Collector, Pakistan Customs, cautioned, “Do not take the first step towards drug abuse. The threat has evolved, as criminal organisations now combine technology with international trafficking networks. Drug abuse is no longer simply a medical issue; it threatens public health, law enforcement, education, families and national security.”
“Every drug shipment intercepted, every young person educated and every individual successfully rehabilitated brings Pakistan closer to becoming healthier, safer and more resilient,” he further added.
Highlighting the importance of transforming healthcare knowledge into meaningful public impact, Syed Amir Sajjad, CEO, Dr Sajjad’s Australian Concept Infertility, IVF and Genetics Centre, observed, “Every breakthrough begins with a question, but research has no value until it reaches people. When evidence improves diagnosis and treatment, informs national healthcare decisions and drives medical innovation, scientific knowledge becomes a powerful force for patient welfare and national development.”
Encouraging participants to adopt resilience and a lifelong commitment to personal development, Prof. Dr Salim S. Virani, Vice Provost, Research – Aga Khan University. advised, “Control what you can. Remain aware of what is happening around you, but do not allow it to paralyse you.
Learn how advantages can become disadvantages and how disadvantages can be transformed into strengths. Be persistent, patient and committed to continuous learning and self-reflection. Let your achievements create meaning for your life, family, community and country. The goal is not to prove yourself to others, but to improve yourself every day.”
Emphasizing the interconnected nature of healthcare, Prof. Dr Sadaf Mumtaz noted, “Cardiometabolic health is a whole-body phenomenon. Integrating basic science, clinical investigation and computational drug discovery is essential for developing advanced therapeutics.”
Earlier in his welcome address, Prof. Dr Abbas Zafar, Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ziauddin University, affirmed, “Every prescription, life-saving treatment and research study is rooted in pharmacology. Strengthening the discipline is essential for better medical education and patient outcomes.”
Outlining the aims and objectives of the conference, Prof. Dr M. Owais Ismail, Chief Organizer of PharmaCon 2026, remarked, “This conference provides a valuable platform for researchers, clinicians and academicians to exchange knowledge and strengthen scientific collaboration. Our goal is to promote a strong research culture and translate pharmacological discoveries into therapeutic solutions that benefit patients and society.”
The conference featured six oral presentations and 32 poster presentations and concluded with a renewed commitment to advancing pharmacological research, therapeutic innovation, and scientific collaboration. It also encouraged researchers and healthcare professionals to translate knowledge into meaningful public impact.
