The National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (NIPER) has introduced a new course leading to M. Pharm. in Pharmacy Practice, beginning from this academic session. A "Guest Lectures Series" was opened on Monday morning by the visiting faculty from the London School of Pharmacy (UK). This is a part of the ongoing collaboration of NIPER with the London School of Pharmacy.

The inaugural function was attended by Dr. Soraya Dhillon and Alice Ward in addition to senior representatives of the Fortis Heart Institute (FHI) and participants from other institutions and students of the institute.

"The purpose of setting up of the department of Pharmacy Practice at NIPER is to produce trained pharmacists of high caliber so as to provide pharmaceutical benefits to more than 700 million people who live in the rural areas' said Dr. C. L. Kaul, Director of the institute.

In his remarks, Dr. R. V. Karanjekar, Medical Director, FHI touched upon the various areas where a practicing pharmacist could contribute towards a better system of healthcare delivery. He extended all possible support from FHI to the students of the pharmacy practice in getting their clinical exposure at FHI.

Dr. Dhillon is Director of Taught Postgraduate Studies at the London School of Pharmacy; and has also held various positions of repute in various healthcare institutions. Her current interests involve developing international links in education outside UK and supporting the development of postgraduate M.Sc. program in Clinical Pharmacy Practice. The opening lecture entitled "Approach to Pharmacy Practice & medicine Management' was presented by Dr. Dhillion. This was followed by a brief presentation by Alice Ward, who is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist/Honorary Lecturer at the Guy's and St. Thomas NHS Trust and London School of Pharmacy. She spoke about "A day in the life of a clinical pharmacist".

The function ended with a vote of thanks by the dean of the institute Dr. K. K. Bhutani.