Kolkata, a city that has a very talented technical pool can certainly bring back the past pharma glory to the state provided they get adequate support befitting today's need. Also, the NRI investment has quietly started in various sectors in West Bengal including pharma sector. Since the state is the gateway of South East Asian countries, an event like Indian Pharmaceutical Congress would definitely help promoting the state among the world pharma community, says Dr Tulsi Chakraborty, secretary, Local Organizing Committee, 56th IPC, in an interview. Excerpts:

IPC is happening in Kolkata after so many years. What went behind the organizing committee's decision to choose Kolkata as venue for the 56th IPC?

Kolkata was the initiator of India's own Pharmaceutical Industry. During the 50's & 60's a number of companies started operating from Kolkata.

However thereafter for various reasons other states made a better progress compared to the state of West Bengal. Kolkata does have a very talented technical pool, which can certainly give a boost to the present situation provided they get adequate support befitting today's need. It is noteworthy to mention that NRI investment has quietly started in various sectors in West Bengal including Pharma sector. Kolkata is also the gateway of South East Asian countries. Thus it was felt that holding of IPC in Kolkata would certainly stimulate fresh investment vis-à-vis growth.

How do you explain the selection of the theme `Role of Pharmacist in Health care' for the 56th Congress?

The theme of this congress "Pharmacists in Healthcare System" aptly indicates the presence, importance, contribution and responsibility of the pharmacists in the country's healthcare system. The pharmacists have already excelled in fields like management, production, marketing, R&D, teaching, regulatory activities etc. However, its service has not been adequately utilized in the policy making, distribution or clinical pharmacy practice -areas mostly under the control of the states. The congress will be a good platform to deliberate on the issues that will result in the additional utilization of the pharmacists more and more in the healthcare of the people especially in the semi urban and rural sector.

The popularity of IPC, as the biggest event in the pharmaceutical sector is growing year after year? What are the reasons you attribute to this increasing interest to IPC amongst the pharmaceutical community?

The IPC has become a great platform to meet people from every walk of pharmacy profession under one roof. The budding scientists get an opportunity to present their research work - a step towards excellence. People get chance to hear renowned scientists and other dignitaries on important subjects. The delegates also get a chance to see modern machines and services in the exhibition managed by FICCI.

Apart form the usual, what are the highlights of 56th IPC?

We are hoping a good number of delegates from neighbouring countries, which would help increase the co-operation and business.

Do you see any other significance for 56th IPC as it is being scheduled to happen on the threshold of the Product Patent era?

Product patent era will not affect small and medium scale companies that produce and market old established, out of patent drugs. We now have giant Indian multinationals that is ready to face the product patent era. Many such companies have world-class manufacturing and R&D facilities that are expected to result in discovery of new drugs.

Have you decided upon the venue for the 57th IPC? Will there be a renewed role/ implication for IPC summits in the post-patent regime?

Next venue will be decided during the executive committee meeting of Indian Pharmaceutical Congress Association to be held on 2nd December 2004.