The second International Conference and Indo-Canadian Satellite Symposium on Pharmaceutical Sciences, Technology and Practice and Natural Health Products will be held at J S S College of Pharmacy, Ooty, from February 24 to 26 this year. President of India Dr A P J Abdul Kalam is scheduled to inaugurate the 3-day conference.

More than 2000 delegates from across the country and experts from foreign countries are expected to attend the conference. The conference is being jointly organized by JSS Group of Colleges, Ooty and Mysore, J S S Mahavidyapeetha, Mysore and Risk Factor Modification Centre, University of Toronto, Canada.

The emphasis of the conference is to bring in new development in the area of herbal drugs, technology, drug discovery and practice. In-depth discussion on the effect of herbal drugs on cardiovascular diseases and diabetes will be one of the main aspects on the Indo-Canadian conference.

Speaking about the conference, B Suresh, president Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and the Principal of J S S College of Pharmacy, Ooty, said that the conference would also elaborately discuss on the role of technology in the pharmaceutical industry. New drug delivery systems and the shaping of the Pharm D course for India will also form the core part of the conference. On the drug discovery aspect, discussions will be on the targeted drug molecules and designs to specific receptor side.

Around 2000 people, including students of J S S College of Pharmacy, are expected to attend the conference. Thirty international speakers from U S A, Canada, Germany, Africa and UAE will share their expertise during the conference.

"In the world of pharmacy practice, the rise of patients and the growth of healthcare, both have massive implications. Recently, there has been a spurt in the growth of herbal medicine in the developed countries due to its natural origin and lesser side effects. Since herbal medicines are produced in a large-scale in mechanical units, appropriate standards for product testing, manufacturing, storage, handling and distribution have become the need of the hour. Hence, the conference will be focusing on all these aspects too," Suresh said.