On the occasion of National Pharmacy Education Day, the entire fraternity honours Mahadeva Lal Schroff, the Father of Pharmacy Education in India, whose birthday. Schroff’s contributions have significantly shaped pharmacy education, paving the way for future pharmacists and enhancing patient care. National Pharmacy Education Day serves as a reminder of the critical role that pharmacy education plays in ensuring safe and effective medication use, patient counseling, and public health. It is a day to recognise and support pharmacy educators, students, and professionals who continue to uphold the standards set by visionaries like Schroff.
This year’s National Pharmacy Education Day focused on the theme:
“Entrepreneurship & Startups in Pharma and Pharmacy Practice: Encouraging Innovation, Incubation Centers, and Pharmaceutical Startups,” under the banner of “Pharma Anveshan 2025.” This theme emphasises the growing importance of innovation and entrepreneurship in the pharmaceutical industry, highlighting the need for incubation centers and startup culture to drive advancements in pharmacy practice and healthcare solutions.
Given the significance of the occasion, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Apeejay Stya University (ASU), Sohna, observed National Pharmacy Education Day in collaboration with Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), Martin and Harris Laboratories and Walter Bushnell with a series of remarkable activities. The official beginning of the celebration was marked by the lighting of ceremonial lamps by Prof. Dr. Vijay Vir Singh, Vice Chancellor; ASU, Dr Anupama Diwan, Dean, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (SPS), ASU and our speakers of the day Mr. Kalhan Bazaz, Hon. President Delhi State Branch, IPA, Dr. Rajesh Agarwal, General Manager R&D Modi- Mundipharma, Dr. Neeraj Kumar, Hon Secretary IPA-DSB Sr. General Manager-Datt Mediproducts Pvt Ltd.
Considering the significance of the day, Prof. Singh addressed the students about the importance of National Pharmacy Education Day. He emphasised topics such as entrepreneurship and startups, highlighting their significance in the pharmacy sector. He pointed out the lagging areas of pharmacy education, including the need for improved technology in educational institutes, the issue of asymmetric information in the healthcare system, and the necessity for strict regulations in the sector. Prof. Singh emphasised that the healthcare system should be patient-centric and appealed to the students to work towards the upliftment of this sector for a better future. This upbeat start gave the hall a positive vibe and inspiration.
Following this, Dr. Diwan took the stage and addressed the audience about Mahadeva Lal Schroff, highlighting the status of pharmacy education in India. She presented a video, prepared by the students of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at ASU, which detailed the journey of M.L. Schroff, his legacy, his contributions to the field of pharmacy, and his role in making India a global leader in this sector. Dr. Diwan also spoke about the M.L. Schroff Chair Program at ASU, sponsored by Walter Bushnell, which supports research at the university. She emphasised the importance of the journal club and urged faculty and students to participate actively in it.
Following this, Mr. Kalhan Bazaz took the stage to illuminate Mahadeva Lal Schroff’s life journey and accomplishments. He discussed how Mr. Schroff introduced various courses at BHU and pioneered a new course named Pharmacy. He highlighted the establishment of multiple associations and the launch of new journals to support the pharmacy profession. Additionally, he elaborated on the functions of the IPA and its significant role in this field. Mr. Bazaz also informed the students about the upcoming introduction of a six-month course in medical devices for pharmacy students by the IPA, which will greatly enhance their knowledge in this area. This session proved to be highly informative for both students and faculty members.
The next session commenced with the insights of dynamic speaker Dr. Rajesh Agarwal. His talk focused on recent trends and applications of AI in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. He highlighted India’s pioneering role in the pharmacy sector and the contributions of Indian industries in manufacturing and other areas. Dr. Agarwal elaborated on how AI can be utilized in various sectors of pharmacy to achieve quick and accurate outcomes, and how AI-based tools can serve as roadmaps for the pharmaceutical and medical device industries. He emphasized the importance of predictive data analysis, data analytics, and design space. Furthermore, he described the use of AI tools in pharmaceutical research, drug discovery, formulation, clinical trials, drug repurposing, product development, analytical method development, and pharmacovigilance. The session left a profound impact on both students and faculty, showcasing the transformative potential of AI in the pharmaceutical field.
The next session was hosted by Dr. Neeraj Kumar. He enlightened the budding pharmacists about the future prospects of the pharmacy profession, with a specific focus on medical devices. He explained how this sector is growing and establishing its position in the global market. Dr. Kumar illustrated the current scenario of medical devices in India and elaborated on various initiatives by the Government of India. He encouraged students by highlighting the numerous career opportunities available in the medical device industry. The session left the students with a clear understanding of the potential and opportunities in the medical device industry, inspiring them to consider this growing field as a promising career path.
The session concluded with the felicitations of the esteemed guests, marking the end of an insightful and enriching session.
The next session commenced with an engaging Oral Scientific Presentation session featuring participants from various universities. Students eagerly anticipated this event and displayed great enthusiasm. The session provided a platform for students to present their research findings, share innovative ideas, and engage in meaningful discussions with their peers and faculty members. This exchange of knowledge and perspectives fostered a collaborative learning environment, inspiring students to pursue further research and contribute to the advancement of the pharmaceutical and healthcare fields. Students from other college Jamina Hamdard have also participated. Around Twenty students have presented their research ideas. The session concluded with a prize distribution ceremony, recognizing the outstanding contributions of the participants. The first prize was awarded to Aaditya Singh (4th year), the second prize to Anushka Saxena (2nd year), and the third prize to Arpit Raj and Monika (M.Pharma) and a consolation prize to (1st year).
In closing, Dr. Rani Mansuri, Assistant Professor at SPS, ASU, expressed her gratitude to the administrators, speakers, faculty, and students. The event concluded on a patriotic note, with every pharmacist in the hall singing the national anthem.