Islamabad, June 13, 2026: The Department of Pharmacy at Iqra University Islamabad Campus (IUIC) successfully hosted IU-INSPIRE 2026, its inaugural National Conference on Impactful Next-Generation Solutions in Pharmaceutical Innovations and Research Excellence, bringing together leading academicians, researchers, healthcare professionals, regulators, industry representatives, and students from across Pakistan.
The conference served as a dynamic platform for discussing emerging trends in pharmaceutical sciences, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and promoting innovative research aimed at addressing present and future healthcare challenges.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Dr. Farzeen Khan, Conference Secretary, who outlined the conference objectives and acknowledged the efforts of the organizing team. The organizers also expressed gratitude to Herbiotics Nutraceuticals for its sponsorship and support. An introductory presentation highlighted the achievements of Iqra University and its Department of Pharmacy, emphasizing their commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and healthcare advancement.
The conference was organized under the patronage of Prof. Dr. Eatzaz Ahmed, with Prof. Dr. Kishwar Sultana, Head of the Department of Pharmacy, serving as Co-Patron. Dr. Maria Mir chaired the conference, while Dr. Farzeen Khan served as Conference Secretary. The organizing secretariat included Dr. Syed Zaki Husain Rizvi, Dr. Muhammad Imran Asad, Dr. Muhammad Nouman Arif, and Dr. Tabinda Azim.
The inaugural session featured distinguished guests from academia, industry, and regulatory bodies, including Prof. Dr. Nassar Ikram, Vice Chancellor of Iqra University; Prof. Dr. Jamshaid Ali Khan, Vice Chancellor of the University of Buner and Chief Guest; Dr. Obaidullah, Chief Executive Officer of the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP); Mr. Usman Shaukat, President of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) and Managing Director of Bio-Labs Corporate Group/Bio-Next Pharmaceuticals; and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Imran, Dean of the Department of Pharmacy.
Other prominent participants included Dr. Akhtar Abbas Khan, CEO of DRAP; Sardar Shabbir Ahmed, Secretary of the Quality Control Board Islamabad; Prof. Dr. Hazrat Bilal, Director General of the Higher Education Commission (HEC); Mr. Hasan Haarain Hote, Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Health; Mr. Muhammad Danish Khan, CEO of Herbiotics Nutraceuticals; Mr. Nasir M. Qureshi, CEO of Paramount Pharma; and Prof. Dr. Saira Azhar, Associate Professor at the University of Sargodha and former Dean of the Department of Pharmacy at Iqra University.
The keynote sessions featured renowned experts who shared insights into the latest developments in pharmaceutical research and biotechnology. Prof. Dr. Jamshed Iqbal, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences at COMSATS University Islamabad, delivered a keynote address on contemporary developments and future directions in pharmaceutical research, while Dr. Shakira Ghazanfar, Senior Scientific Officer at the National Institute for Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology, highlighted advances in biotechnology, genomics, and translational research.
The academic programme included presentations by eight invited speakers from leading institutions, covering innovative therapeutic strategies, regulatory affairs, molecular biology, and emerging pharmaceutical technologies. These speakers represented prominent universities, hospitals, and research organizations from across the country.
One of the conference’s major attractions was the Scientific Poster Competition, which provided undergraduate and postgraduate researchers an opportunity to showcase their work and engage with industry experts. Oral presentation sessions also enabled participants to present original scientific research before expert panels, encouraging scientific dialogue and highlighting the diversity of ongoing pharmaceutical research in Pakistan.
As part of the closing ceremony, shields and souvenirs were presented to the Chief Guest, keynote speakers, industry representatives, faculty members, and student organizers in recognition of their contributions to the event’s success.
Drawing more than 250 participants from 27 institutions nationwide, IU-INSPIRE 2026 emerged as one of Pakistan’s most significant pharmaceutical science gatherings of the year. The conference featured 10 eminent speakers, including two keynote speakers and eight invited speakers, while showcasing 70 research presentations, comprising 25 oral presentations and 45 scientific posters.
With the participation of 150 general attendees and the presence of 25 Heads of Departments, Deans, and Directors of Pharmacy institutions, the conference successfully achieved its objective of promoting impactful research, professional development, and stronger academia-industry collaboration.
The successful organization of IU-INSPIRE 2026 reflects Iqra University’s growing role in advancing pharmaceutical education, research, and innovation in Pakistan while contributing to the development of future healthcare solutions.
