Professor Manley Elisha West OM
(17 March 1929 – 24 April 2012)
Professor West Om was a Jamaican pharmacologist who studied the marijuana plant. He investigated medicines for glaucoma. and Tubercolosis.
Manley West (March 17, 1929 – 2012) was a Jamaican pharmacologist, educator, and medical innovator whose work connected modern pharmaceutical science with traditional Caribbean medicinal knowledge. He is best known for research that contributed to new treatments for eye disease and other conditions using plant-based compounds.
Birth, Family, and Early Life
West was born in Fairy Hill in the parish of Portland, Jamaica. Public biographical information about his parents is limited; widely available academic summaries focus primarily on his scientific career rather than detailed family records. From an early age, he showed strong academic ability and interest in science, which guided his path toward medicine and pharmacology.
Education and Medical Degrees
West completed his secondary schooling at Titchfield High School in Jamaica. He then pursued higher education in the United Kingdom.
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Pharmacology — University of London
This doctorate established his expertise in drug action, therapeutic development, and experimental pharmacology.
In addition to his doctoral training, West undertook advanced academic study and research exposure at institutions including Cambridge University and Yale University, where he expanded his knowledge in ocular pharmacology, drug research, and biomedical science.
Scientific Research and Medical Contributions
Glaucoma Research
West’s most influential scientific work focused on glaucoma, a condition characterized by increased pressure inside the eye that can lead to vision loss. Working with ophthalmologist Albert Lockhart, he investigated reports that locally used plant preparations might affect eye pressure.
Their research led to the development of Canasol, an eye medication designed to reduce intraocular pressure while minimizing adverse side effects. The treatment became one of the most internationally recognized pharmaceutical innovations to emerge from Caribbean research.
Other Therapeutic Innovations
West also contributed to additional pharmaceutical developments, including:
- Asmasol — a treatment related to respiratory conditions such as asthma
- Canavert — a product developed to address motion sickness
These innovations reflected his broader research interest in translating natural compounds into clinically useful therapies.
Academic and Professional Career
West spent much of his professional life at the University of the West Indies (UWI), where he served as:
- Professor of Pharmacology
- Research leader in drug development
- Academic administrator and department head
Through teaching and mentorship, he influenced generations of Caribbean scientists and helped strengthen regional biomedical research capacity. His work also contributed to international collaboration in pharmaceutical science.
Awards, Honors, and Accolades
West’s scientific achievements were recognized through national and professional honors, including:
- Order of Merit (Jamaica, 1987) — one of the country’s highest awards, granted for distinguished contribution to science and medicine
- Recognition as a leading Caribbean pharmacologist and medical innovator
- Institutional honors within the University of the West Indies for research leadership
- International acknowledgement for pioneering plant-based pharmaceutical development
Publications and Scientific Output
West’s work appeared primarily through:
- Scientific research papers in pharmacology and medical journals
- Collaborative research publications related to glaucoma and drug development
- Academic lectures and conference presentations
- Research reports connected to pharmaceutical innovation
His impact is more strongly reflected in patented therapies and applied research than in a large number of standalone books.
Death and Burial
Manley West died in 2012. Publicly available summaries confirm his death but do not consistently document a specific cause of death. Similarly, detailed records identifying his burial location are not widely documented in standard academic references.
Legacy
West is regarded as a central figure in Caribbean pharmacological research. His legacy includes:
- Advancing glaucoma treatment through innovative pharmaceutical research
- Demonstrating the scientific value of traditional medicinal knowledge
- Strengthening drug research infrastructure in Jamaica and the Caribbean
- Mentoring future scientists and medical researchers
- Contributing internationally recognized pharmaceutical products developed within the region
His career illustrates how locally grounded research can produce global medical impact. West remains remembered as a pioneer who bridged cultural knowledge and laboratory science, leaving a lasting influence on pharmacology, ophthalmology, and Caribbean biomedical innovation.