Scope and Limitations of Drug Discovery in Bangladesh

Introduction

Definition of Drug: Drug is any substance that can affect the living process to alter the physiological and pathological processes.

Definition of Drug Discovery: Drug discovery can be described as the process of identifying chemical entities that have the potential to become therapeutic agents. Another definition states that drug discovery is a process of identifying a compound therapeutically useful in remedial and treating diseases. Drug discovery involves identification, synthesis,characterization,screening and assay for therapeutic efficacy.

Purpose of Drug Discovery:

To improve selectivity of action
To improve ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism & Excretion) Profile.
To obtain drug having more desirable properties than the lead compound in terms of potency, toxicity & specificity.
To obtain marketable alternative drug that can compete with an existing one.
To reduce cost of bulk production
Exploitation of side effects of existing drug
Invention of drugs De Novo

Drug discovery in short:

Choose a disease
Choose a drug target
Identify a bioassay
Find a ‘lead compound’
Isolate and purify the lead compound if necessary
Determine the structure of the lead compound if necessary

Scope of Drug Discovery in Bangladesh

The scope of drug discovery in Bangladesh has been growing steadily in recent years. While it may not be as extensive as in some other countries with well-established pharmaceutical industries, Bangladesh has made significant progress in this field. Here are some key aspects of the scope of drug discovery in Bangladesh:

1. Generic Pharmaceutical Industry: Bangladesh is known for its robust generic pharmaceutical industry. Many pharmaceutical companies in Bangladesh focus on the development of generic drugs and formulations, which play a vital role in providing affordable healthcare solutions both domestically and internationally.

2. Research and Development: Some pharmaceutical companies in Bangladesh have been investing in research and development (R&D) activities, including drug discovery.

3. Collaboration with International Partners: Collaboration with international pharmaceutical companies and research institutions has become more common, allowing Bangladeshi researchers and companies to access global expertise and resources in drug discovery.

4. Focus on Infectious Diseases: Given the prevalence of infectious diseases in Bangladesh, drug discovery efforts often concentrate on finding treatments and vaccines for diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, and diarrheal diseases.

5. Regulatory Framework: The government of Bangladesh has been taking steps to strengthen the regulatory framework for the pharmaceutical industry, which includes drug discovery and development. This helps ensure the safety and efficacy of new drugs.

6. Talent Pool: Bangladesh has a pool of talented scientists, researchers, and pharmacists who contribute to drug discovery efforts, both within the country and abroad.

While the drug discovery scope in Bangladesh is evolving, it's essential to recognize that challenges such as funding, infrastructure, and intellectual property protection still need to be addressed. The scope of drug discovery in Bangladesh is vast and growing. The country has a number of research institutes and universities that are conducting drug discovery research. These institutions are conducting research on a variety of drug discovery topics, including:

Natural products drug discovery
Synthetic drug discovery
Drug target identification and validation
Drug design and development
Preclinical drug testing
Clinical drug trials

The government of Bangladesh is also supporting drug discovery research through initiatives such as the National Drug Policy 2017. This policy aims to promote the development of new drugs for the treatment of neglected diseases, such as malaria and tuberculosis. The demand for drug discovery in Bangladesh is high. The country has a large and growing population, and many people suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. The cost of importing drugs is also high, so there is a need to develop more affordable and accessible drugs.

Limitations of Drug Discovery in Bangladesh

The drug discovery landscape in Bangladesh is facing a number of challenges, including:

Lack of funding: Drug discovery is a long and expensive process, and there is a lack of funding available for research in Bangladesh. This is due to a number of factors, including the low priority given to research by the government, the lack of private investment in the pharmaceutical industry, and the high cost of conducting research.
Lack of skilled manpower: There is a shortage of skilled manpower in drug discovery in Bangladesh. This is due to the limited number of educational programs available in the country, and the brain drain of skilled scientists to other countries.
Lack of infrastructure: There is a lack of infrastructure for drug discovery in Bangladesh. This includes the lack of well-equipped laboratories, the lack of access to clinical trial sites, and the lack of regulatory support.
Intellectual property rights: The lack of strong intellectual property rights protection in Bangladesh can discourage pharmaceutical companies from investing in research in the country.
Regulatory Challenges: Regulatory hurdles and bureaucratic processes can slow down the drug discovery and approval process, making it less attractive for investment.
Competition from multinational companies: Multinational pharmaceutical companies have a strong presence in Bangladesh. This can make it difficult for local companies to compete in the drug discovery market.
Access to Cutting-edge Technologies: Access to advanced technologies and research tools can be limited, which may impact the ability to conduct cutting-edge drug discovery research.
Focus on Generic Drugs: The majority of the pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh is focused on the production of generic drugs rather than innovative drug discovery. Shifting this focus requires substantial investment and commitment.
Clinical Trial Infrastructure: Building a robust clinical trial infrastructure is essential for drug development. Bangladesh needs to further develop its capabilities in this area.
Market Competition: The global pharmaceutical market is highly competitive, and entering with new, innovative drugs can be challenging for Bangladeshi companies.
Healthcare System Challenges: Bangladesh faces healthcare system challenges, including access to quality healthcare, which can affect the demand for and distribution of new drugs.

Despite these challenges, there are a number of opportunities for drug discovery in Bangladesh. The country has a large and growing population, and there is a high demand for new drugs to treat diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. The government is also providing some support for drug discovery research, and there are a number of research institutes and universities conducting drug discovery research. Bangladesh has the potential to overcome these challenges through strategic investments, international collaborations, and policy reforms. With a growing pharmaceutical industry and a commitment to research and development, Bangladesh can expand its capabilities in drug discovery and contribute to healthcare advancements both domestically and internationally.

Modern Challenges of Drug Discovery

The drug discovery process has seen many advancements over the decades. New technology has been a key driver of such advances, with breakthroughs in assay technology, automation, imaging, nanofluidics, and software helping to significantly improve the process of drug discovery. Compared with 50 years ago, drug discovery is now much faster, relatively cheaper, is less resource-intensive, and is more precise with fewer false leads followed as a result of more accurate predictions as to a compound’s potential efficacy in acting of certain pathways. However, while the industry has experienced great advancements, it is still limited by several modern challenges. In short, these are the length, complexity, uncertainty, and cost of the process; the unknown pathophysiology of many disorders, making target identification difficult; the limitations of animal models; the heterogeneity of the patient population making one-size-fits-all drugs limited in success; and the lack of validated diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers.

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