Md Raisul Uddin Saikat is the Chairman of Albion Group and the Director of Delta Health Care Chittagong Ltd. He also serves as an advisor to the Daily Kaler Kantho Shubo Shongho. Raisul is a Life Member of the International Business Forum of Bangladesh, the Chittagong Diabetic Hospital, Bangladesh Kidney Foundation, and Maa & Shishu Hospital.
As the Chairman of the Albion Group, Raisul would like to see Chittagong flourish given the potential and ideal location of the port city. The success of the company is apparent in the collective passion of his entire family. Raisul expresses that it has become a family business, “My siblings and I work in unison because we would like to see Albion Group to create milestones within the nest three years. With the construction of our new state-of-the-art premises, we are hoping that we will be able to export goods from Chittagong in the next three years.”
The company started its pharmaceutical ventures in 1991; today it is situated over 4 acres of land in the Sitakunda Upazila, located 35 kilometers from the Chittagong. The company’s product profile currently comprises of more than 300 different generic products. Raisul envisioned a modern facility that would adhere to international standards, “We produce various types of dosage forms which include tablets, capsules, liquid, dry syrups and ointments. Given the sensitivity of pharmaceutical products, the factory is constructed with the concept that allows us to manufacture penicillin, non-penicillin, cephalosporin and other products in an efficient and cautious manner.” The company works to continually expand with their expert staff which includes a highly cooperative team of pharmacists, chemists, microbiologists, engineers, and doctors.
“Our rapid development can be equated to the very competent sales team who promote our specialities throughout every part of the nation; they are trained with the capacity to proficiently serve the diverse regions of the nation, from the large metropolitans to the most remote rural areas.”
Raisul and his team firmly believe that any company must venture into newer products to remain a powerful force, “We started producing veterinary pharmaceuticals that include bolus, antibiotic powders, liquid solutions, and pour-on solutions for large animals, birds, and fish. The world of pharmaceuticals is rapidly progressing day-by-day in terms of innovative dosage forms and treatment options. In this context, we must always conduct research and strive to remain up to date.” Albion Group is currently on the path to producing both human and animal medications to meet demands in both facets.
Having a dedicated and knowledgeable team is the foundation for their growth throughout the nation. Raisul expresses the pride that he has for each and every member of the Albion Group, “Our rapid development can be equated to the very competent sales team who promote our specialities throughout every part of the nation; they are trained with the capacity to proficiently serve the diverse regions of the nation, from the large metropolitans to the most remote rural areas.” The company’s primary focus is to provide the best quality products and services with the utmost efficacy. As the chairman, he firmly believes that the productivity of his employees thrive only if and when they are provided with a prominent environment, “Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) are strictly followed throughout our factories. We want to go beyond providing our employees with the great workplace; we want this very satisfaction to transcend into their everyday life.”
In a port city that is predominantly an industrial zone, Raisul’s entry into the pharmaceutical industry was rather unconventional, “Upon completing my degree, I stepped into the business in 2006. Though there was limited scope and space, we started on our own property in Sitakundu with a large employee pool of 700 workers and trained over 200 officers and a management staff.” Though he had the desire to pursue a job in order to gather experience, due to familial responsibilities, he joined the business immediately after graduating. Raisul reminisces of taking on the responsibility following his father’s aging, “Upon graduating, I joined the family business, a pathway that my brother and sister had followed following the completion of their education. We realized that we would have to take on the responsibilities of our father. We proudly follow the guidelines that were set by my father; he remains the chief advisor and the beacon of business inspiration.” The company currently produces products in 19 various categories that notably include gastric and diabetic medications; they are in the process of constructing a new factory and delve into export,
At the present the company has not only produced a wide range of products, they produce some of the products of ACI under toll manufacturing system. Raisul postulates upon the gradual growth, “As the sub-contracted manufacturers for products under the ACI label, we attain a degree of progress as a company. Now, we are getting on with our export base factory that is in compliances under the WHO (World Health Organization) in order to start our journey into the export market. By 2019, we want to be the most recognizable force of our industry in Chittagong.”
According to Raisul, the pharmaceutical industry is unique in the sense that it requires a profound amount of attention towards R&D (Research & Development). “If you visit our R&D lab, you will be able to see our meticulous attention to these preparations and practices. Provided the technical nature of our business, maintaining quality control is imperative in the case of pharmaceuticals. Every one of our 80 pharmacists is registered under the board to ensure that they can engage in and work under the strict standards of quality control within our industry.”
The preparation of Albion Groups standard products starts from the use of raw materials of uncompromised caliber. In this context, Raisul postulates, “Most of our raw materials are exported because there is little space for manufacturing raw materials within our nation. However, there are initiatives in order to create a scope for such productions.” Provided that the company produces products in bulk, local companies are not able to produce raw materials in accordance with Albion Group’s demands. “We only use local sources such as Active Chemicals for urgent needs. Moreover, any company that we take materials from has to be a listed company and in the supplier list in accordance with the Drug Administration.”
Attaining longevity in the pharmaceutical industry goes beyond investment according to Risual; he emphasizes the task of management. “When it comes to a sensitive product such as pharmaceutical, there is no room for comprise. It is a matter of health which is the primary aspect of the quality of life. Therefore it is critical that we continuously mentor and be very stringent about the production process. It requires a great degree of concentration and attention to every little detail.”
