Experts discuss how pharmacists are meeting global health needs

World Pharmacists Day is an occasion to honour and celebrate the significant role that pharmacists play in fostering healthier communities around the globe. It is organised by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), a WHO partner.

Given the significance of the occasion, Apeejay Stya University (ASU), Gurugram, recently observed World Pharmacists Day with a series of remarkable activities. The official beginning of the celebration was marked by the lighting of ceremonial lamps by Dr Anupama Diwan, Dean, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (SPS), ASU. The opening speaker of the day was Mr Narender Ahuja, Professor of Practice MVN University, Palwal and Director Corporate Affairs, former State Drugs Controller, Haryana. The lamp lighting ceremony was also attended by Prof. Dipak Kanti Majumdar, emeritus professor, SPS, ASU. This is succeeded by a wonderful film depicting the role of pharmacists (silent heroes) in our society.

Considering the significance and applicability of pharmacists, Dr Diwan addressed the students about the significance of this day and its origin. She specifically tried to encourage first-year pharmacy students about this profession and its importance not only in India but throughout the world. She made an effort to cover topics such as “local growing global” and “sustainable development goals” during her speech. She emphasised, “Universal health coverage stands important as everyone should have access to basic medical care, ” while highlighting how a pharmacist can help to achieve this objective for a better world. She urged the crowd to promise to act morally as a pharmacist. This upbeat start gave the hall a positive vibe and inspiration.

Following this, Dr Narender Ahuja took the lead by throwing light on good manufacturing practice (GMP) and schedule M. He emphasised, “The health management system must be upgraded continuously to avoid potentially dangerous outcomes. There are numerous instances of medical carelessness.” He also provided a thorough analysis of the problem along with potential solutions. He discussed patents, proprietary drugs, pharmacopoeia drugs, quality assurance, control, and quality by design concerning pharmaceuticals during his session. Further, he explained how the labelling on a product’s packet can be used to distinguish drugs from food items. In his talk, Dr Ahuja stressed the importance of quality, safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products. In addition, he mentioned Form 51 and the licenses required for manufacturing pharmaceuticals. During his term, he helped everyone to understand the importance of the SUGAM portal. This session was very interactive and informative involving both students and faculty members and ended with a lunch break.

Post-lunch session began with the insight of a young and dynamic speaker Dr Kriti Soni, head of global R&D at Dr. Vaidya RPSG group. Her talk moved around nutraceutical and preventive medicines along with their developmental procedures. Dr Soni expounded how nutraceuticals and food supplements helped to manage lifestyle disorders with proper standardisation. He urged students to have a basic understanding of their subjects. She focused on using the right ingredients, and the right products with the required safety and efficacy in context with botanicals and nutraceuticals. Even though this session was conducted virtually, the students were greatly impacted by this elaboration on nutraceuticals.

The next session was hosted by Mr Umesh Kaushik, Head of R&D Koshbio Pvt. Ltd. He tried to understand the budding pharmacists about the significance of diagnosis in healthcare, its significance and scope in the pharmaceutical field. In his speech, he addressed medical devices, in vitro diagnosis (IVD), its regulations, and how a pharmacy graduate might find a rewarding career in this field these days. This was a lively session with the active involvement of the students. Lastly, he gave a demonstration about a malaria diagnostic kit developed by his company having the capability to diagnose different species of malaria parasites. It was a very captivating movement for the audience.

All the technical sessions were moderated by Prof. Majumdar whose knowledge and experience in the pharmacy field added charm to the event.

The day ended with a vote of thanks by Mr. Manoj Kumar Sharma, Assistant Professor, SPS, ASU. In closing, he expressed gratitude to the administrators, speakers, faculties and students. Subsequently, every pharmacist in the hall sang the national anthem and took the pharmacy oath, which was led by Dr Diwan.