BPL to provide support to KU for advanced research in cancer treatment

Beacon Pharmaceutical Limited (BPL), one of the leading oncology drug makers in Bangladesh, will provide all-out support to the Pharmacy Department of Khulna University (KU) to strengthen advanced research on cancer treatment.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the BPL and the KU authorities through a programme held on the university campus on Friday, reports a press release.

According to the MoU, the BPL will provide the all-out required support to the Pharmacy Department of the university to ensure the advanced research on cancer treatment to make the efforts a success.

Mohammad Anisur Rahman Khan, executive vice president, human resources and administration of the BPL, and Prof Amit Roy Chowdhury, a treasurer of the KU signed the MoU on behalf of the two sides.

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), there are 13 lakh to 15 lakh cancer patients in Bangladesh, with around two lakh patients newly diagnosed with cancer each year.

Lung cancer and mouth-oropharynx cancers rank as the top two prevalent cancers in males. Other types of cancers are esophagus and stomach cancers.

Patients in Bangladesh now spend around Tk 500 crore per year on average for cancer treatment, according to the industry insiders.

During the MoU signing ceremony, the KU has given a special honour to Mohammad Ebadul Karim, a lawmaker of the ruling Awami League also managing director of the BPL for his outstanding contribution to the development in the country’s pharmaceutical sector and for exporting of life-saving anti-cancer drugs to the world market at affordable prices.

Presided over by Mahmud Hossain, vice chancellor of the KU, Mosammat Hosne Ara, pro vice chancellor of the KU and Md Manjurul Alam, director, of the global business of the BPL, among others, were present at the programme.