Academia-pharmaceutical industry linkage: An academic perspective

Area of Science:

• Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Higher Education
• Industry Collaboration

Background:

• The pharmaceutical sector in Pakistan has experienced growth but faces significant barriers.
• A critical barrier identified is the lack of strong academia-industry linkage (AIL).
• Understanding these barriers is crucial for developing effective strategies to improve collaboration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the underlying reasons for the insufficient collaboration between academia and the pharmaceutical industry in Pakistan.
• To identify key factors hindering the development of academia-industry linkage (AIL).

Main Methods:

• Qualitative phenomenology-based study conducted in prominent pharmacy institutes across Pakistan.
• Semi-structured interviews were performed with academic experts (assistant professor or above) with over 10 years of experience.
• Thematic content analysis was used to analyze the collected data.

Main Results:

• Eight themes and 18 codes emerged from the analysis, highlighting major barriers to AIL.
• Key reasons include a lack of industrial research and development (R&D) activities, and a deficit in applied research within academia.
• Absence of supportive government policies, regulatory frameworks, and a lack of positive attitudes from both sectors were also identified.

Conclusions:

• Boosting academia-industry linkage (AIL) requires government-backed funding, policies, and regulatory support.
• Academia must align research efforts with industry demands, focusing on applied research and new molecule development.
• Strengthening AIL can unlock new avenues for pharmaceutical research and development in Pakistan.