Hamdard Laboratories (Waqf) Bangladesh (Bengali: হামদর্দ ল্যাবরেটরিজ (ওয়াকফ) বাংলাদেশ) is an herbal (unani) pharmaceutical company based in Bangladesh. The company is currently the largest of its kind in Bangladesh and is managed by an Islamic trust known as the Waqf board.[1][2] The company was first founded in India, but has since move its base to Bangladesh (though the company still holds independent and separate operations in both India and Pakistan.)[3][4][5][6] The most popular product, Rooh Afza, is a popular drink during Ramadan in South Asia.[7][8][9]
History
Hamdard Laboratories (Waqf) Bangladesh first began under the name Hamdard India and was established in 1906 by Hakeem Hafiz Abdul Majeed.[1][10] In regards to the name of the company, "Ham" means "friend" and "dard" means "pain" in Persian, so the company's name means "companion of pain".[11] Majeed died in 1922, and his will stated that the company should be placed in Waqf management.[3] In 1948, after the partition of India, Majeed's youngest son, Hakeem Mohammad Said, established Hamdard Pakistan.[1] From 1953-56, Said expanded the company's operations in the former East Pakistan,[1][12] opening up sales centers in major cities Chittagong and Dhaka.[1] After the Independence of Bangladesh declaration in 1971, Hamdard Pakistan formally became Hamdard Laboratories (Waqf) Bangladesh.[1][13]
Research and External Buildings
Hamdard Laboratories (Waqf) Bangladesh operates a research institute.[1] It spends its entire profits through Hamdard Foundation Bangladesh, its charitable wing.[1] Hakim Md. Yousuf Harun Bhuiyan, who joined the company in 1972, became the managing director in 1982.[14] In 1989, Hakim Mohammad Yousuf Harun Bhuiyan established Hamdard Foundation Bangladesh.[15] The foundation established Hamdard Unani Medical College and Hospital in 1990.[16]
Hakim Said Eastern Medical College & Hospital was established in 2008 by the Hamdard Foundation.[17] It also established Rawshan Jahan Eastern Medical College and Hospital in the same year.[18] it participated in the FOODEX Japan 2009.[19] It established 15 medical camps in Chittagong on Victory Day.[20] It is licensed by the Government of Bangladesh to produce herbal medicine.[21]
In 2010, Hamdard Foundation Bangladesh established Hamdard Public College.[22] It ran a health camp in Gaibandha District.[23]
Hamdard Foundation Bangladesh established Hamdard University Bangladesh on 29 November 2012.[24]
Hamdard Museum was established in January 2022.[25] Hamdard signed a memorandum of understanding with University of Dhaka.[26]
Location
The headquarters are located in Hamdard Bhaban at 291/1 Sonargaon Road in Gulistan and a factory in Tejgaon.[1] Hamdard Laboratories Bangladesh was established in 2004 and is located in Meghna Ghat, Sonargaon Upazila, Narayanganj District.[27] It was inaugurated by Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Minister of Health and Family Welfare.[28] In 2004 it provided relief materials to victims of flooding in Keraniganj and Manikganj.[29][30] Hakim Mohammad Yousuf Harun Bhuiyan estimated the market of herbal medicine to be 1 billion taka in 2005.[31]