Faculty of Pharmacy UGM has once again organised International Conference on Pharmacy and Advanced Pharmaceutical Sciences (ICPAPS) that brings together pharmaceutical researchers, academics, practitioners as well as policy makers.
“The meeting is to provide an opportunity for those that have interest in latest developments of pharmacy. Participants are encouraged to discuss with invited leading speakers to build collaboration in the future,” said Dean of Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. Dr. Agung Endro Nugroho, M.Si., Apt., in the opening of ICPAPS on Wednesday (1/11) in Sheraton Mustika Hotel Yogyakarta.
Agung explained Indonesia has second largest biodiversity after Brazil which makes it important for finding and developing drugs from herbal traditional medicine and synthetic drugs. Efforts are underway to modify the structure of main compounds to provide new compounds with better pharmalogical effects and to formulate drugs into better medicinal products.
“ICPAPS 2017 is designed to underlie the global trend in pharmacy and pharmaceutical research for better future,” he added.
In his keynote speech, Expert Staff in Research, Technology, and Higher Learning, Dr. Ir. Agus Puji Prasetyono, M.Eng., said there were still many pharmaceutical aspects that can be explored. To advance research in this area, it needs the latest technology and competent human resource.
He emphasised the importance of synergy between government, academics, and industry. This is required so that the findings and innovation by researchers can be applied into commercial products that are needed by society.
“I hope the research can be downstreamed into the industry, not just becoming journals. Therefore, a cooperation with the industry is required,” he said.
Other speakers, Prof. Dr. Nico Vermeulen from Vrije Universiteit will discuss translational drug safety sciences, Prof. Dr. Hubertus Irth from Universiteit Leiden to discuss novel developments of bioanalytical technologies in drug discovery, and Prof. Dr. Pauline Norris from Otago University New Zealand to talk about challenges in accessing medicines.
“With the presence of leading researchers, I hope to see a good debate and discussion and most importantly a product thatrepresents a joint act,” said Rector of UGM, Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng., D.Eng.
The international conference is organised by Faculty of Pharmacy UGM in collaboration with Vrije Universiteit the Netherlands, Universiteit Leiden the Netherlands, Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) Japan, Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences Malaysia, and Timmerman Award.
Timmerman Award is an agenda designed by PERAKMI as an acknowledgment of young scientists in medical chemistry and that have made significant contributions to the science in Indonesia.