The Bangladesh Pharmacists’ Forum (BPF) organised scientific discussion to celebrate World Pharmacists Day 2026, under the theme “Empowering Pharmacists for Healthier Futures.” The event was held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Waterfall Convention Center in Dhanmondi, Dhaka.
Pharmacists, teachers, students, pharmaceutical industry professionals, and representatives from various university units attended the program. Discussions focused on the growing role of pharmacists in Bangladesh’s healthcare system, hospital and clinical pharmacy services, and the professional development of pharmacists.
The celebration began with a cake-cutting ceremony to mark World Pharmacists Day. This was followed by a scientific discussion featuring prominent professionals from the pharmacy and pharmaceutical industries.
Distinguished Guests and Technical Speakers
The event was attended by distinguished guests and technical speakers, including Dr. Md. Akhtar Hossain, Director, Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Dr. Hasan Mahmud Reza, Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North South University; Md. Nejab Uddin, Director, Quality Operations and IRA, Popular Pharmaceuticals PLC; Tanvir Ashraf, Country Manager and Managing Director, Haleon Bangladesh Limited; Mohammad Atiuzzaman, Director, Marketing and Sales, Square Pharmaceuticals PLC; Md. Ashraful Alam, General Manager, Production, Beximco Pharmaceuticals PLC; and Muhammad Zahid Al Beruni, Director, Operations, Advanced Chemical Industries PLC (ACI).
The technical speakers shared their professional and technical experiences in their respective fields. Key areas of discussion included drug regulation and regulatory affairs, pharmaceutical science and education, quality operations, regulatory compliance, pharmaceutical production and manufacturing, marketing and sales, commercial operations, and pharmaceutical industry management.
The speakers emphasized the importance of appropriately involving pharmacists at different levels of Bangladesh’s healthcare system, particularly in government hospitals, hospital pharmacies, clinical pharmacy services, and model pharmacies.
They also stressed the need to properly utilize pharmacists’ technical expertise, ensure professional recognition, and establish appropriate government-mandated minimum remuneration for pharmacists working in hospitals and model pharmacies.
Two-Point Demand of the Bangladesh Pharmacists’ Forum
Speaking on behalf of the Bangladesh Pharmacists’ Forum (BPF), its President Md. Azibur Rahman, under the theme “Empowering Pharmacists for Healthier Futures,” presented the following two demands to the Government of Bangladesh on the occasion of World Pharmacists Day:
Hospital Pharmacist and Clinical Pharmacist positions should be created in government hospitals, and qualified pharmacists should be appointed to these positions.
A separate Pharmacist Cadre should be included in the BCS Technical Cadre.
The BPF President said that implementing these demands would create opportunities to properly utilize pharmacists’ professional expertise within the national healthcare system and establish a structured professional career pathway for pharmacists in government service.
The event also emphasized the importance of establishing appropriate remuneration and professional standards for pharmacists working in Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry, hospital pharmacies, and model pharmacies.
Opening Remarks Emphasize the Importance of Hospital Pharmacy
In his opening remarks, Mohammad Mehedi Hasan Tanvir, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Pharmacists’ Forum (BPF), placed particular emphasis on establishing and strengthening Hospital Pharmacy and Clinical Pharmacy Services in Bangladesh.
He said pharmacists need to have a clearly defined and appropriate professional role within hospitals and multidisciplinary healthcare teams. Pharmacists can play an important role in medication management, rational use of medicines, patient counseling, medication safety, prevention of medication-related problems, and appropriate management of pharmacotherapy.
He further stated that the introduction of well-organized hospital pharmacy services would allow pharmacists’ specialized knowledge to be directly utilized in patient care, thereby improving the quality and safety of healthcare services.
Central Executive Committee of the Bangladesh Pharmacists’ Forum
Members of the Central Executive Committee of the Bangladesh Pharmacists’ Forum were present at the event. They included:
President: Md. Azibur Rahman
Senior Vice President: S. M. Anwar Majid Tareq
Secretary General: Mohammad Mehedi Hasan Tanvir
Joint Secretary General: Sharmin Afroz
Md. Kamruzzaman Khokon
Md. Mahmudur Rahman Sad
Finance Secretary: Abul Fazal
Organizing Secretary: Md. Arman Hossain Shuvo
Publicity Secretary: Mominul Islam (Nirjhar)
Assistant Publication Secretary: Saimum Islam
International Relations Secretary: Mamun Gazi
Office Secretary: Md. Ehsan Ahmed Jewel
Md. Ashraful Rahman Bhuiyan
Student Welfare Secretary: Mahmudul Hasan Mahmud
Education and Research Secretary: Md. Nurul Islam Nahid
Executive Members: Mohammad Arif Khan, Faisal Tariq, and Tanmoy
Participation of University Units
Advisory panel members and leaders from various university units attended the event. Presidents and general secretaries of the respective units shared their valuable views on pharmacy education, professional development, student activities, hospital pharmacy, and the future of the pharmacy profession.
Representatives of participating university units included:
Bangladesh University: President Saiful Islam Emon; General Secretary Ahsan Ullah
East West University: President Tilak Majumder; General Secretary Md. Mahin Hasan
bparticipation of members of the BPF University Executive Committee and the BPF Central Executive Committee.
The discussion covered pharmacy education, professional development, hospital and clinical pharmacy, drug regulation, employment opportunities, professional recognition, and the future role of pharmacists in Bangladesh’s healthcare system.
Participants emphasized the importance of creating appropriate employment opportunities for pharmacists in government healthcare institutions and effectively utilizing their technical knowledge and professional skills in healthcare delivery.
Closing Remarks and Vote of Thanks
At the conclusion of the program, Md. Azibur Rahman, President of the Bangladesh Pharmacists’ Forum, delivered the vote of thanks.
He expressed sincere gratitude to the distinguished guests, technical speakers, representatives of the pharmaceutical industry, university representatives, members of the BPF Central Executive Committee, university unit leaders, pharmacists, students, and all participants for their valuable presence and active participation.
In his closing remarks, he reaffirmed the Bangladesh Pharmacists’ Forum’s commitment to strengthening the pharmacy profession through professional development, scientific activities, Hospital and Clinical Pharmacy Services, evidence-based pharmaceutical care, professional recognition, and stronger collaboration among the government, academia, and the pharmaceutical industry.
The Bangladesh Pharmacists’ Forum expressed its commitment to building a strong, respected, and professionally organized pharmacy sector and contributing to the establishment of a safe, effective, and efficient healthcare system in Bangladesh.