Celebrating National Pharmacy Week: Recognising the pillars of healthcare

Pharmacists play a pivotal role in the healthcare system, serving as the link between medical science and patient care. They ensure safe medication practices, provide critical advice to patients, and contribute to public health initiatives. To celebrate and highlight the significance of their contributions, the Apeejay Stya University-School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (ASU) hosted a week-long celebration of National Pharmacy Week from 17 to 23 November, in collaboration with the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), Delhi state branch, highlighting a joint effort to promote the importance of pharmacists in healthcare and to foster professional growth and community health awareness.

With the theme: Think Health, Think Pharmacy, the event encompassed a variety of activities aimed at promoting community awareness, fostering professional growth, and inspiring students to excel in their field.

Strengthening bonds with local pharmacies
The celebrations began with an innovative initiative where students and faculty visited community pharmacies in nearby areas. Armed with vibrant posters thanking pharmacists for their service, they distributed these tokens of appreciation while engaging in meaningful discussions. The effort not only celebrated the essence of Pharmacy Week but also deepened connections with local pharmacists. This outreach impacted nearly 1,000 pharmacies, leaving a lasting impression of gratitude and camaraderie.

Learning from industry experts
On the fifth day of the celebrations, ASU hosted an inspiring series of interactive sessions with esteemed experts. The event commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and a warm welcome to the guest speakers, who were presented with plant saplings as a token of appreciation.

Exploring sexual and reproductive health
The first session featured Ms Rody Gangte, Strategy and Partnerships Lead for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Gender at EngenderHealth India. She highlighted the crucial role pharmacists play in improving sexual and reproductive health. She discussed strategies such as health system strengthening, youth engagement, and social behaviour change, encouraging private sector participation. She also introduced a training platform for healthcare professionals and emphasised the importance of understanding the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act.

Antibiotic Resistance and the Role of Pharmacists
Dr Anupama Diwan, Dean of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, elaborated on the event’s theme. Her insightful address focused on the societal role of pharmacists, urging them to collaborate with government programmes to enhance public health. Dr Diwan also highlighted the pressing issue of antibiotic resistance and shared strategies for addressing this critical challenge.

Regulatory affairs and pharmacovigilance
The next speaker, Ms Bhawna Gupta, Director of Regulatory Affairs at Roche Pharma and Executive Council Member of the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) Delhi State Branch, engaged the audience with her expertise. She emphasised the importance of pharmacovigilance and the pharmacist’s responsibility in ensuring a safe society. Ms Gupta also shed light on the broader significance of celebrating National Pharmacy Week.

Uplifting the pharmacy profession
The concluding session featured Mr Kalhan Bazaz, Editor and Publisher of The Indian Pharmacist, and Managing Director of JK Polytec. A long-standing contributor to the IPA, Mr Bazaz shared insights into the association’s initiatives for elevating the pharmacy profession while upholding the highest ethical standards. He encouraged students to actively participate in IPA’s programmes and contribute to societal betterment.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Diwan, who expressed gratitude to the speakers, students, and faculty members for their contributions to the week’s success. The Pharmacy Week Celebration at ASU was a resounding success, fostering professional growth, enhancing community health awareness, and honouring the dedication of pharmacists. It left participants inspired to uphold the values of excellence and service in the field of pharmacy.