2010 Commencement
St. Louis College of Pharmacy
4588 Parkview Place * St. Louis, MO 63110 * www.stlcop.edu
| March 4, 2010 |
Contact: Bryan C. Daniels Director, Public Relations 314- 446-8393 – Office 314-691-3130 – Cell |
Pharmaceutical Entrepreneur and St. Louis College of Pharmacy Graduate Samih Darwazah Named Commencement Speaker |
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ST. LOUIS – St. Louis College of Pharmacy (STLCOP) graduate Samih Darwazah has become one of the Arab world’s most influential businessmen. His company, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, is a global player in the pharmaceutical industry. On May 15, Darwazah will return to St. Louis to deliver STLCOP’s 2010 commencement address and receive an honorary doctorate. |
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Darwazah, who earned his master’s degree from STLCOP in 1964, is founder and chairman of Hikma Pharmaceuticals, a London-based pharmaceutical company that exports nearly 400 products to 49 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Portugal and Italy. The company, which Darwazah started in 1978 in Amman, Jordan with $150,000, is now listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). Specializing in branded, generics and injectable pharmaceuticals, it was the first Arab company to export pharmaceutical products to the U.S. In 2008, Hikma’s annual sales exceeded $550 million; it is the fourth-largest pharmaceuticals company on the LSE. |
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Darwazah was introduced to the profession of pharmacy while attending the American University of Beirut (AUB) in Lebanon, where he received his undergraduate degree. After earning a graduate degree from STLCOP, he worked for Eli Lilly from 1964 to 1976. During that period, Darwazah held positions of increasing responsibility throughout the Middle East and Europe. Upon leaving Eli Lilly, he formed Hikma, which was successful from its launch and expanded to markets outside of Jordan by its second year of business. |
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Between 1995 and 1996, Darwazah served as Jordan’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources. He also founded the Jordan Trade Association and was a member of the Advisory Economic Council to the King of Jordan. In 2007, he was selected Middle East Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young. |
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Between 1995 and 1996, Darwazah served as Jordan’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources. He also founded the Jordan Trade Association and was a member of the Advisory Economic Council to the King of Jordan. In 2007, he was selected Middle East Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young. |
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About St. Louis College of Pharmacy: Founded in 1864, St. Louis College of Pharmacy is one of the oldest and largest colleges of pharmacy in America.
The College admits students directly from high school and integrates the liberal arts and sciences with a six-year professional curriculum leading to the
Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree. Approximately 1,250 students attend, and more than 72 percent of practicing pharmacists in the St. Louis metropolitan area are alumni.
Additional information is available at www.stlcop.edu.
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