Akbar Pharmaceuticals pioneers treatments for respiratory care in Sri Lanka with LINA

In a bold bid to break new ground, Akbar Pharmaceuticals entered a new phase, launching a historically significant initiative by inaugurating, for the first time in Sri Lanka, a fully equipped formulation development and manufacturing facility for respiratory care.

As the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry rises in importance as a vital sector to the economy that is entrusted with the well-being of the public, the LINA formulation development and manufacturing facility for respiratory care signals a significant enhancement of national capacity for research and formulation, an area Sri Lankan pharmaceutical manufacturing industry has been hesitant to enter due to its need for high investment in testing equipment and research as a precursor to manufacture.

If it was just the courage and focus of its principal players that was to be acknowledged here, it would still be the less interesting part of this story. But this project has greater claim to fame.

The greater achievement is in breathing fresh life into an original idea — a Presidential Award winning invention — developed by a Sri Lankan, Dr. Anil Goonethilake.

A novel product formulation it is a unique inhaler device that facilitates fine particle dispensation. Conceived and designed by Dr. Anil Gunathilake, it was developed and manufactured by LINA Research Centre after intense research and supporting assistance by the University of Moratuwa, the unique inhaler device which employs a simple mechanism to dispense a finer spray of particles to carry the medication directly to required areas significantly increases speed of relief. LINA has also formulated and manufactured a specially designed capsule to facilitate the process.

Akbar Pharmaceuticals, a leading player in Sri Lanka’s march to reach new frontiers of accomplishment in the industry invested in the formulation development and manufacturing facility for respiratory care knowing the risks involved in such a venture, but expressed complete satisfaction at the outcome.

“It is the first ever such centre in Sri Lanka,” Rohan Wettasingha, General Manager, Akbar Pharmaceuticals confirmed. “It calls for great courage and broad vision to take the decision to invest and manage a venture as important and ground breaking as this. And I am glad Akbar Pharmaceuticals had it,” exclaimed Wettasingha.

Considerable investment in equipment has resulted in a state of the art facility. Among many expensive research and testing equipment installed at LINA Respiratory Research Centre and Manufacturing Facility located at Borupana Road, Ratmalana, is an artificial lung used for testing how deeply medication penetrates the lung when using inhalers and other delivery devices. A research and formulation team headed by the pioneer of development formulation for respiratory care Dr. Anil Gunathilake handles the sophisticated equipment in a sterile, climatically controlled environment.

Many industry experts have quickly recognised the significance and implications of this initiative on the national economy and industry. In marking the milestones in Sri Lanka’s ambitious thrust towards economic and national development, efforts to build Sri Lanka’s own medi-care and pharmaceutical manufacturing capability, is clearly an area acknowledged with emphasis.  Inevitably, LINA Centre’s pioneering efforts must feature among them, and its role in inspiring other inventors and investors to take up the gauntlet and face the challenge of international competition and gloriously succeed may enjoy equal admiration.

Whilst its focus is on producing pharmaceuticals to highest international standards while reducing the cost burden on patients the vision of this fully Sri Lankan owned enterprise is to lead the way towards a greater role for Sri Lanka in this industry.

Given the extraordinary concessions offered in the budget of 2011 for companies undertaking research the company believes Sri Lanka’s national policy envisions promotion of such initiatives, convinced that its stated objective of building confidence in the minds of the Sri Lankan people about the quality of products made right here in this country can be achieved before long.

“This is a world class facility and its products represent an unprecedented advance for Sri Lankan pharmaceutical formulation development, and we’re truly proud and privileged to be part of it,” said Wettasingha, who is completing his 39th year in the industry. “It is a celebration of a national victory that all Sri Lanka can be proud of,” he concluded.