Executive director of Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil) Dr PV Appaji has received the prestigious Indian Pharmacy Graduates Association (IPGA) 'Eminent Pharmacy Graduate Award' for the year 2008 for his outstanding contributions towards the advancement of pharmaceutical profession. Director-general (Drugs Control Administration), Andhra Pradesh, R P Meena presented the award to Dr Appaji.

The award was present during a function in Hyderabad where the IPGA had its annual general body meeting on November 15. In his speech, Meena said that pharma graduates played a vital role in the manufacturing process and in dispensing of drugs, given their high levels of technical awareness they needed to be given this recognition.

Past president S N Sobti, general secretary Arun Garg, president AP state branch G Dharma Data of IPGA and director drug control administration M Kodandaram, president AP Pharmacy Council Dr M Venkat Reddy and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

Dr P V Appaji has done his post graduation and Doctorate in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Nagpur University, Nagpur, India. He started his career in 1975 with the Drugs Control Organization, Government of Andhra Pradesh. He joined Government of India at New Delhi in 1981 and worked in various capacities as technical officer, deputy director, deputy development commissioner and director in the Ministries of Industry, Chemicals and Fertilizers etc.

During about four year period in Pharmexcil, Dr Appaji has actively contributed in the establishment and strengthening of the new council. He has taken several delegations of Indian Pharma to countries like Japan, USA, France, Russia, South Africa, China etc. for trade promotion and interaction with international agencies. The pharma exports during the period have grown from about Rs 17,000 crore to Rs 39,500 crore by March 2009. He is currently on committees of several national and international agencies representing Indian pharmaceutical sector.