After the centre was set up, it evolved and while working closely with the Cabinet Committee on Drug Abuse Control, the centre was eventually renamed the Centre for Drug Research (1985) and received international recognition by the World Health Organization, in the area of analytical methodology and clinical pharmacy in relation to drug development. This eventually led to the Centre for Drug Research being recognised by international bodies such as UN Narcotics Commission and the UN office on drugs just four years after the establishment.
Talking about the success of the drug education and research efforts that he pioneered, Dato’ Dr Gan modestly said, “It was the outcome of a visionary group of academics who wanted to make an impact on the drug related challenges faced by the nation. As the Dean of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences I proactively supported this programme as a noble venture.” Continuing he said, “One of the biggest challenges was to build trust and cooperation with the agencies and victims. The success is the result of the joint efforts of persons from the university and from international organisations.”
Dato’ Dr Gan later went on to establish the National Poison Centre (formerly IDPIS USM) in 1994 resulting in the expansion of services to drug and poison information, education and prevention to research, documentation and eventually toxicology. Two years later, he was approached yet again to set up the National Doping Control Centre in 1996 – now known as the Analytical Biochemistry Research Centre (ABrC) – which also assisted in testing athletes at the 1998 Commonwealth Games and 2017
Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur.
Dato’ Dr Gan was internationally recognised for his work in Malaysian pharmaceuticals when he was appointed as a member for the international Health Advisory Panel by the United States Pharmacopeia Convention (USP) from 1990 to 1995. He was the first and only Malaysian to be given this honour. He is also an advisor to the Malaysian Society of Pharmaceutical Trade and
Manufacturers Association.
From 2000 to 2013, Dato’ Dr Gan led the development of USAINS Group as the Founding Group Managing Director. USAINS became the first company in Malaysia to be set up by a public university with a sustainable commercial model. He was also responsible in directing USAINS into becoming a successful model for a private-public partnership in R&D industry offering research services and serving as a referral centre to reputable international agencies such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, World Health Organisation and the Rockefeller Foundation. USAINS was also the first university incubator to receive MSC status in 2002.
Dato’ Dr Gan’s passion comes from his innate nature to be curious and his love of development. He is a firm believer that the technology that is available will be able to propel Malaysia to greater heights. Throughout his career, he successfully licensed out around three patents and nine technologies owned by Universiti Sains Malaysia – all in the medical sector - to be produced and marketed by Malaysian Bio-Diagnostics Research Sdn Bhd.
Recollecting his experiences, Dato’ Dr Gan said, “Initially it was exhilarating, but slowly the task of developing and advancing pharmacy education for the whole nation became a passion,” he said. “Now in the environment of Industrial Revolution 4.0, the government and the system have to encourage the younger generation to think out of the box, or even beyond the box,” he stressed adding, “There are no short cuts, though we can search for smart ways to address societal challenges, however determination, perseverance and staying focused are still the corner stone of success. The authorities must formulate rogrammes that provide wide exposure to our young scientists.”
Personal Philosophy
“Always Give Your Best Shot in Whatever You Do”.
Message to young Malaysians
“Be focused and be committed. Be prepared to work hard and smart. Remember failures are often just stepping stones to ultimate success”.