The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has expressed its all-out support to the establishment of the first nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) laboratory in Visayas.
DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said they were supporting the setting up of the first NMR laboratory "outside NCR (National Capital Region) and Region IV-A for research and competency development in support of the Department’s drug discovery and development program.”
"The facility will be hosted at the University of San Agustin (USA) which is one of the institutions actively involved in the Tuklas Lunas Program being spearheaded by DOST through the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD),” he said during his weekly report on Friday, May 28.
He noted that several Balik Scientists are in the university and they possess extensive research and development (R&D) experience in drug discovery and development using NMR.
"Thus, there is enough competency to manage this NMR facility and strengthen the capacities of the regions through human resource development, resource sharing, and R&D.”
He noted that the Tuklas Lunas Program was created by the DOST-PCHRD and that the first Tuklas Lunas Development Center (TLDC) was created in 2012 to respond to the needs of Filipinos for affordable quality medicines.
"It aims to build the country's capacity in drug discovery and development by leveraging on the country’s rich natural resources,” de la Peña said.