Excerpts of the Address of Dr Shivajirao Kadam, chairman, Local Organising Committee, 54th IPC-2002

Dear friends and colleagues,

Let me at the outset, extend my warm and hearty welcome to the delegates drawn from India and abroad and captains of the Indian pharmaceutical sector for the inauguration of the 54th Indian Pharmacy Congress - 2002. The Congress is being held on the theme of `Biotechnology: A Challenge to Pharmacy Profession.'' I am confident that this is going to be a new path-breaking event in the field of Pharmacy in the country.

Genomics and Biotechnology have no longer remained static. From the time the first mapping of DNA was jointly carried out by a team of scientists to cloning of `Dolly'' the sheep by Ian Wilmut of Scotland, to the recent claim by the Italian gynaecologist Severnino Antionori, of the possibility of a human being born sometime in January 2003, are path breaking events that are likely the change the entire concept of looking at medical sciences in future

The Pharmaceutical Industry and Education, on the other hand, are likely to undergo phenomenal changes due to globalization, WTO, GATT & IPR issues. They are going to dictate the global developments and trade merger, acquisitions, collaborations and accreditation taking place in pharma industry and education.

While India has found a berth for itself among `global powers'' in the IT sector, the question being asked is whether it can find its rightful place in Biotechnology as well. China, despite not having the advantage of a better English speaking and reading literary population, is having the `mindset advantage'' by being a key participant in the Human Genome project embracing GM crop technology and encouraging recombinant therapeutics in its healthcare programs.

In the general scheme of things, quality alone will decide the survival and progress of the fittest. It is not Pharma industry alone but other branches of Pharmacy and Education, Trade, as well as service sectors will have to gear up to meet the challenges of globalization.

Research is playing the most vital role in pharmacy profession. It is better late than never, the terms like New Drug Discovery Research (NDDR) or Novel Drug Delivery Systems (NDDS), are the terms, which are now being put into practice almost routinely by the industry as well as academia. Many Indian Research Organizations have adopted the techniques of Rational Drug Design, CADD, Combinational Chemistry and High Throughout Screening.

Life expectancy of a person born in India has undergone a dramatic change in recent years. Today we are on the verge of witnessing revolutionary changes in the field of Pharmacy. Several other indicators of the health pattern in India have also undergone significant favourable changes. Although different social factors contributed to this historic progress, a key factor has been the noteworthy contribution of the Indian healthcare industry and an improved ability, which was absent half a century ago. Though the Indian pharmaceutical industry''s response to WTO mandate on the phased implementation of product patent by 2005, has been shockingly a slow one, most Indian Drug majors have made substantial commitments to R&D and have started making interesting developments in their R&D programmes. Biotechnological skills it has acquired so far only focused more on commercial production and manufacturing of biotech medicines, no core research and development work has been done at substantial level at our end.

In Pharma trade today, emphasis is being laid on product knowledge and patient knowledge and patient counseling to accomplish more service orientation rather than business orientation. This will definitely improve the quality of life.

The biggest strength of Indian pharmaceutical practices, undoubtedly lies in its very rich heritage and history, its deeply rooted understanding of natural (herbal) medicines and therapeutic, rich medicinal flora and fauna of the country, etc. The Indian Pharma sector is one of the well-organized sectors of the country.

The following are some of the major goals the 54th IPC aiming at to achieve.

1. To gear up for the post-TRIPS and WTO era.

2. To highlight and create awareness and challenges and opportunities biotechnology offers

3. To highlight the importance of community pharmacy in clinical medicine

4. To get a global overview of the international drug and therapeutic scenario.

5. To provide an international platform for exchange of ideas, view amongst fellow professionals, researchers, students and teachers.

6. To put the city of Pune on International Pharma Map.

We are indeed grateful to the office bearers and members of the Indian Pharmaceutical Association for selecting the city of Pune as the place for this prestigious Congress.

Friends, I on this occasion on behalf of the Local Organising Committee of this 54th IPC -2002, and on my own behalf, assure you that Pune will offer you the best of the culture and ambience history, interlaced with modernisation. This, accompanied by the pleasant climate of the country, its scenic beauty and immaculate hospitality of the Pune city, will surely make your visit to this event, most cherishable.

I wish all of you a very happy and prosperous New Year.