A group of students from International University (IU) on Sunday won the 2018 Kinal Prize for research under the topic of “Fever, Care and Medication”, organised by Pharma Product Manufacturing (PPM) at the French Institute in Phnom Penh.

Kim Dany, the representative of the IU students group who claimed the $1,000 first prize, said they had conducted research into medicines for bone joint disease through surveys, research from books and other sources.

“We identified 28 plants that could be used in medicine to treat bone joint disease. Among those with the highest potential are bay kdang and ginger,” she said.

Dany explained that her group’s research included conducting a survey of Kampot residents who use plants for medicinal purposes. The group asked the people which plants had the most potential to cure disease, in order to prepare a document for further study.

“This is an initial study. We have not yet conducted detailed laboratory studies because our capacity is only for this level. But this research can be useful for later studies.”

PPM president and chairman of the Kinal Prize fund, Hay Ly Eang, said his company spends five per cent of its income on financing research and training in the pharmaceutical sector in Cambodia.

“We want Cambodians to have a mindset for invention and research in all sectors because it helps make new discoveries that ultimately helps Cambodia grow. Training in human resources with clear skills contributes to social development,” he said.

The second prize of $500 went to a group from the University of Puthisastra, while the $300 third prize went to a combined group from IU and the University of Health Sciences.

Kinal is a painkilling medicine created by Kok Sok Kim 58 years ago. It is becoming well known in the Kingdom and international markets.

“We created the Kinal Prize in 2013 to encourage and promote pharmaceutical research by students at various universities in Cambodia."

“This year, there were 26 groups of students from six educational establishments and universities throughout Phnom Penh participating in this competition under the topic of ‘Fever, Care and Medication’,” Ly Eang said.

Ministry of Interior undersecretary of state and chair of its Counter-Counterfeit Committee, Meach Sophana, said Kinal has begun to build a reputation and gained consumer confidence abroad, apart from being exported to Africa.

“This is a proud moment and I also hope that the groups of students who participated in this competition will increase the reputation and help maintain the legacy of ancestors from the past,” he said.

Sophana said the medical research competition aims to support Cambodian youths pursuing research as part of their medicine and pharmaceutical majors to increase their capacity and knowledge.

PPM, created during then-Prince Norodom Sihanouk’s Sangkum Reastr Niyum regime, is the oldest pharmaceutical company in Cambodia.

The enterprise has produced more than 100 medicines and exported 50 of them to 16 countries. Its biggest market is Africa.