ON RELEVANCE & IMPORTANCE OF IPC HYDERABAD:
The global pharmaceutical industry is looking at India as a highly potential investment destination in the changed business environment. Hyderabad has abundant infrastructure and scientific resources to attract investments from global pharma and biotech majors. Sectors like contract research are huge potential avenue for the Indian pharma industry, especially for Hyderabad. Traditionally, this city has strength in bulk drug and formulation manufacturing activities. The presence of research institutions such as Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Centre for DNA Finger Printing and Diagnostics, National Institute of Nutrition, assures adequate scientific back up required for the research initiatives of the pharma and biotech industries. There can't be a better place for IPC to be held in the country in 2005, in view of implementation of Intellectual Property Rights.
India with its strengths in bulk drugs, formulations, biotechnology, contract research, contract manufacturing, clinical research, bioinformatics, healthcare services, etc. is marching ahead towards leadership in specialised areas. Big patient pool, different ethnic groups, abundant scientific talent/ manpower make India a preferred partner in outsourcing services for clinical research. Post 2005, the Indian industry will witness a sea change in their manufacturing and drug discovery models. TRIPS, new modified patent laws, globalisation etc. are some of the major factors set to make an impact on the pharma industry. This makes 57th IPC the most unique congress in its history.
ON RUN UP TO THE EVENT & PREPARATIONS
The 57th IPC has received tremendous response both within the country and from across the globe. For instance, Norway Embassy has shown keen interest in participating in the event, with the purpose of attracting investments from Indian pharma industry into Norway. Around 40 delegates from Thailand are attending this Congress and seeking visits to several CGMP / WHO, USFDA recognized manufacturing facilities and to have one to one meetings. Hitex Exhibition Centre is a big advantage as it is a convenient place to conduct huge conferences. The exhibition facilities there are excellent. Response to the exhibition is also very good. All the available space has been booked, and still enquiries are there. Registrations for the Congress are estimated to be over 5000. We expect about 10,000 visitors to the venue. About 30,000 industry professionals in India and from abroad will get information on the developments at IPC, one way or the other. The event and the exhibition will act as an ideal platform for generating big business for the pharma industry.
ON SCIENTIFIC SESSIONS
The scientific programmes will be of much substance and quality in the 57th IPC as the cream of best available experts are chosen as speakers. About 50 International speakers and 20 experts from India will take part in the various plenary, seminar and lecture sessions. A presidential symposium on the theme of the Congress - Pharmacist -- Drug Discovery Research is another highlight of 57th IPC. The Congress is designed in such a way that it serves the purpose of scientific people, highlighting the latest advances in research, IPR, TRIPS impact, patenting research etc. Both visitors for commercial purposes and those who visit to get more scientific knowledge and update with the industry happenings, will be definitely benefited by the Congress. A novel workshop is being organised in support with the Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) focusing on clinical pharmacy and therapeutics. The theme of the workshop is 'GCP for pharmacists'. Such programmes were not seen in earlier IPCs. Thus, 57th IPC is setting a trend for future Indian Pharmaceutical Congresses. Special attention has been given to students and there are sessions useful to the student and young pharmacist community. A separate session is also planned focussing on the Small Scale Industries to benefit the SSI participants.
Timing of the 57th IPC has been good as no other huge conferences are being organised during the period at Hyderabad. Thus accommodation problems could be solved to a large extent for the visitors. Separate arrangements have been made in various hotels, clubs and hostels for student accommodation.
ON ENTERTAINMENT
Entertainment sessions are also there. Artistically talented students in various art forms will also perform, besides professional artists. Dance, music, drama, mimicry, ghazals and many such activities have been planned. These entertainment activities are sure to alleviate or reduce the stress pharmacists and other delegates could have due to the brainstorming sessions.
OUTCOME OF 57th IPC
The outcome of the event can be in varied forms. Indian industry will get opportunities in collaborating contract research activities, clinical research, partial drug development ( drug discovery), outsourcing for manufacturing etc. The event should lead to discussion of critical issues of the industry besides coming out with certain suggestions that can be implemented and are influential in framing policies. Various committees, headed by most efficient people, work on specific assignments with utmost commitment and dedication, and I am sure the Hyderabad IPC is going to be a big success.