USM PENANG, 4 April 2020 – In the fight against the spread of COVID-19, there is a surge in demand for hand sanitisers all over the world including Malaysia as a hand sanitiser is a supplement or alternative to hand washing with soap and water. 

This has prompted the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (PPSF), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) to take the initiative to formulate and prepare its own hand sanitisers that fulfil the specified standards recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

What makes it unique is that kaffir lime is added as one of the ingredients in the formula to give the sanitiser the pleasant fresh feeling and fragrance. It is also less sticky, and is enriched with a moisturising agent to prevent dryness of the skin when used frequently.

One of the PPSF lecturers involved in the project, Dr. Amirah Mohd Gazzali said the original idea to produce USM hand sanitiser came from the PPSF Dean, Professor Dr. Habibah A. Wahab and it was realised through the full support of various parties, including the USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation, Professor Dato' Ir. Dr. Abdul Rahman Mohamed.

She said, “Besides herself, the others from her School who were involved include four academic staff (Dr. Thaigarajan Parumasivam, Dr. Atiqah Mohtar, Dr. Chan Siok Yee and Dr. Goh Choon Fu); two laboratory staff (Mohd Rizal Mohd Noor and Amiruddin Mat Jalil); and two postgraduate students (Teoh Xin Yi and Reem Abou Assi).

"To date, we have successfully produced over 140 litres of hand sanitiser in two days, to be distributed to the USM community to promote good personal hygiene practices and to protect against COVID-19," she said while adding that each batch produced was microbiologically tested.

She added that the hand sanitiser was developed adhering to the recommended formulations required to kill 99.99% of widespread germs, which contains at least 65% alcohol - ethanol (ethyl alcohol).

“The entire process from formulation, production, packaging and labelling was done at the School, before being shipped to the USM COVID-19 Nerve Centre which handles distribution.

“This initiative was part of the social responsibility of PPSF to help ease the burden and meet the needs of the USM community during these challenging times,” she said.

"We also hope that the USM community will always be aware of the latest developments related to COVID-19 issued by the government, the Ministry of Health and USM in particular.

"Take care of your health and hygiene, practice social distancing, wash your hands regularly and carry sanitisers everywhere you go," Amirah advised further.

Text: Nabella Ridhuan Lau/Editing: Tan Ewe Hoe