In an attempt to take the pharmacy profession in India to new highs, Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), a premier professional association of pharmacists in the country, will organise Indian Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (ICPPS)-2009 and IPA Convention-2009 at Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research (DIPSAR), New Delhi on March 14 and 15.

The IPA has selected 'reengineering pharmacy profession in India' as the theme for this year's convention.

"It is with an awareness of the present and vision of the future that IPA is organising this convention. Inspired by the global changes that the pharmacy profession is experiencing currently, the convention will take a thorough look at how the pharmacy profession in our country can be re-engineered to meet those changes or challenges," said, Dr B Suresh, president, IPA.

As per the information available, different divisions of the IPA, including industrial pharmacy division, regulatory affairs division, community pharmacy division, education division, hospital pharmacy division and students' division would be an integral part of the event this year.

"The aim is to bring the networking of all the state branches of the IPA into the mainstream and to incorporate a democratic process of participation, thereby promoting an association of members," organisers said.

"Each of the IPA division would get an opportunity to discuss on related topics with a theme that would feature three to four lectures and one panel discussion at the end of each session. Also, members would be given a chance to deliberate on the activities of their respective divisions," they added.

A considerable number of delegates numbering more than 1,500 are expected to attend this year's event. Besides, national and international peers are expected to discuss current trends and issues facing the pharmacy profession and how best can pharmacists prepare themselves to be an influential member in the healthcare system of the society.

Also, the event would feature lectures on topics like need for pharmacovigiliance with special reference to cosmeceuticals, apart from exhibition of innovative technologies.