The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

A Bangladeshi company has developed Arsenicure, an ointment for treatment of external symptoms of arsenic, and Ars-detox, a capsule formulation to neutralise the arsenic accumulated inside the body.

Young scientist Dr Abdul Kader, the founder of Viola Vitalis, made the announcement at a press conference held at the National Press Club on Friday morning.

Bangladesh Academy of Sciences and Viola Vitalis jointly organized the press conference.

Addressing the press conference, Dr Abdul Kader said there are certain specific problems, which are only encountered in developing countries but not experienced in the developed countries. In the developing countries, marginal people are mostly the victims of Arsenocosis.

But, he said, the pharmaceutical or nutraceutical companies are not interested to develop products or services for the marginal people as their only "interest is on return on investment."

Dr Kader said Viola Vitalis and Allium Vitals have developed an innovative system which has been found effective to address the arsenicosis problems.

He informed that Viola Vitalis in cooperation with Helmholtz Centre for Environment Research, Leipzig, Germany are now developing `biosensor to detect specific arsenic contamination' from water samples which will be user-friendly.

Dr Kader said: "The nutraceuticals are made based on natural preparations. It has been tested on animals. All ingredients are classified as GRAS by the FDA (Federal Drug Administration of the government of the United States). Generally, it is recognized as safe for human consumption."

Secretary of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences and former chairman of Atomic Energy Commission Prof Naiyyum Chowdhury, scientist Prof Dr Amir H Khan and representative of the Helmholtz Centre for

Environment Research Carola Endes also spoke at the press conference.