Minister of Health and Environment Attends Opening of Sana’a University’s 11th Pharmaceutical Research Conference and 10th Pharmaceutical Exhibition to Advance Scientific Research and Local Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Sana’a – University Media Center
Tuesday, July 28, 2026 (14 Safar 1448 AH)

Under the theme “The Role of Scientific Research in Advancing the Pharmaceutical Industry,” Sana’a University today inaugurated the 11th Scientific Conference on Pharmaceutical Research and the 10th Pharmaceutical Exhibition, showcasing the graduation projects of the 34th graduating batch of the Faculty of Pharmacy. The three-day event brings together academics, researchers, representatives of government institutions, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and healthcare professionals to promote scientific research and strengthen its contribution to healthcare development and the localization of pharmaceutical industries in Yemen.
The conference is organized by the Faculty of Pharmacy in collaboration with the Yemeni Pharmacists Syndicate and the Supreme Board of Drugs and Medical Appliances. It features 11 pharmaceutical research projects conducted by 205 graduating students, addressing a broad range of scientific and applied topics, including pharmaceutical formulation and drug development, burn treatment for diabetic patients, cosmetic preparations, and the development of three anticancer pharmaceutical formulations derived from Yemeni medicinal plants and herbs. The studies also present the scientific methodologies used in extraction, formulation, and pharmaceutical production.
The conference was inaugurated by the Minister of Health and Environment, Prof. Ali Shaiban, who congratulated the graduates of the Faculty of Pharmacy on their outstanding research achievements. He described the projects as a promising scientific foundation that should be further developed into pharmaceutical products capable of serving society, strengthening pharmaceutical security, and supporting national self-sufficiency.
The Minister emphasized that the conference serves as an important academic platform for bridging scientific research with practical application and industrial production, thereby contributing to the advancement of Yemen’s pharmaceutical industry. He stressed the need to enhance the quality of pharmaceutical services and strengthen national capabilities in pharmaceutical research and manufacturing.
He also highlighted the progress achieved by national pharmaceutical companies in producing a growing range of medicines and called for closer collaboration between universities, government institutions, and the private sector to transform research outcomes into market-ready pharmaceutical products that respond to local healthcare needs.
Prof. Shaiban further noted that the Ministry of Health and Environment applies rigorous scientific standards to ensure drug quality by requiring bioequivalence certification before any pharmaceutical product is approved for marketing. He praised Sana’a University for establishing and equipping its Bioequivalence Center, describing it as a landmark scientific achievement that will strengthen Yemen’s pharmaceutical industry by providing essential testing services domestically and reducing the financial and logistical burden previously associated with conducting such studies abroad.
In his address, the University Rector, Prof. Mohammed Ahmed Al-Bukhaiti, affirmed that the conference reflects the university’s commitment to advancing applied scientific research and aligning it with national priorities. He explained that the research presented addresses critical issues in pharmaceutical development, therapeutics, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
The Rector noted that the conference and accompanying exhibition provide an important scientific platform for presenting student graduation projects and faculty research in areas including bioequivalence, pharmaceutical development, and natural-product extraction. He also emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships with national pharmaceutical companies to identify research priorities that support the continued development of Yemen’s pharmaceutical sector.
Prof. Al-Bukhaiti further stated that the Faculty of Pharmacy continues to prepare highly qualified pharmaceutical professionals capable of advancing the profession and serving society. He added that the university’s newly established Bioavailability and Bioequivalence Center is now fully equipped to provide specialized scientific services and will play a significant role in supporting the localization of pharmaceutical manufacturing by enabling national companies to conduct bioequivalence testing within Yemen.
The Vice-Rector for Medical Faculties and Hospitals Affairs, Prof. Abdulhafiz Thawabah, called on national pharmaceutical manufacturers to adopt and further develop the outstanding research produced by Faculty of Pharmacy students into commercially viable pharmaceutical products. He also urged the Supreme Board of Drugs and Medical Appliances to facilitate clinical trials and bioequivalence studies and to support research exploring the pharmaceutical potential of Yemen’s rich medicinal plant resources.
The Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Dr. Mohammed Hamid Al-Din, reviewed the Faculty’s achievements in preparing highly qualified pharmacists and explained that this year’s event integrates the 11th Pharmaceutical Research Conference, the National Pharmacy Day, and the graduation ceremony for the 34th graduating class, reflecting the close integration of education, scientific research, and community service.
He emphasized that the conference theme reflects the Faculty’s conviction that scientific research is the cornerstone of developing national pharmaceutical industries, improving the quality of pharmaceutical products, fostering innovation, and promoting the development of safe and effective medicines based on internationally recognized scientific standards.
The opening ceremony also featured remarks by the Vice Dean for Student Affairs, Dr. Yahya Al-Dukhain; the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Graduate Studies, Dr. Mohammed Al-Khawlani; the Chairman of the Scientific Committee, Dr. Mahmoud Al-Buraihi; the Head of the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Dr. Tawfiq Al-Obaidi; the Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Board of Drugs and Medical Appliances, Dr. Abdullah Al-Sharif; the representative of the Yemeni Pharmacists Syndicate, Dr. Sami Al-Maqhafi; and the representative of the Union of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Olofi.
Speakers unanimously emphasized the importance of the conference as a platform for exchanging expertise, presenting the latest scientific research, and strengthening collaboration between universities, government institutions, and the pharmaceutical industry. They praised the innovative research conducted by the graduates of the Faculty of Pharmacy, highlighting its scientific quality, practical applications, and potential contribution to healthcare and pharmaceutical development. They also called for continued support to enable these promising projects to progress toward practical implementation.
Participants further stressed the importance of aligning scientific research with national development priorities and promoting greater investment in Yemen’s natural resources, particularly its medicinal plants and herbs, to develop scientifically validated pharmaceutical products that support innovation and strengthen domestic pharmaceutical production.
The conference was attended by the Vice-Rector of Amran University, Dr. Zakaria Al-Shuaibi, the Rector’s Assistant for Media Affairs, Mr. Adel Al-Hababi, representatives of relevant government institutions, and academics and researchers from universities across Yemen.
Following the opening ceremony, the Minister of Health and Environment, Prof. Ali Shaiban, and the University Rector, Prof. Mohammed Ahmed Al-Bukhaiti, officially inaugurated the 10th Pharmaceutical Exhibition, which showcases research projects and pharmaceutical innovations developed by graduates of the 34th graduating class of the Faculty of Pharmacy.
During their tour of the exhibition, the Minister and the Rector reviewed a wide range of student-developed pharmaceutical products and research projects. They received detailed presentations on the objectives of the studies, research methodologies, stages of product development, sources of the raw materials used in pharmaceutical formulations, and the methods employed to evaluate their effectiveness. The exhibition demonstrated the high level of scientific training and research competence achieved by Faculty of Pharmacy students while reaffirming Sana’a University’s commitment to fostering innovation, advancing scientific research, and strengthening partnerships that support the healthcare sector and national development.