Indian Pharmaceutical Association President P D Seth on Saturday called upon the pharmacists to develop drugs to control AIDS, terming the disease as the biggest challenge faced by the research chemists. He was addressing a large gathering of pharmacy students, industry experts and drug manufacturers, during the second `MP Pharma Meet 2003' organized by the Association's State chapter to acquaint pharmacy students with the industry.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest Seth said the need today is to stress on drug research among the pharmacists. It's a matter of concern that the numbers of AIDS patients is rising steadily across the world, with around 30-40,000 patients suspected in India. ``The diseases poses a major challenge for the pharmacists here,'' he pointed out.

He even proposed to start an AIDS Control Association to create awareness among the general masses about the spread o the disease.

Highlighting the opportunities provided by the government for research in pharmacy, Dr R S Gaud, AICTE Advisor and President, Association of Pharmacy Teachers of India (APTI), revealed that the AICTE has earmarked a sum of Rs 60 crore for PhD scholarship research in India, out of which even 75 per cent can be used by pharmacy students if their projects are found viable by the council's expert committees.

He said that with the increasing emphasis on industry-oriented education, the AICTE is considering a change in the curriculum so as to convert 75 per cent of the student's pharmacy education into practical mode.

The AICTE Advisor lambasted the Madhya Pradesh government for continuing with contractual and tenure appointments of faculty members in the pharmacy institutions across the State. ``The quality in teaching faculty is diminishing fast. Such contractual appointments speed up this process,'' he said, adding that the State government should follow the law of the land.

Over 900 students from different pharmacy colleges across the State attended the meet. The MP Chapter of Indian Pharmaceutical Association felicitated senior teachers Dr S N Sharma, Dr Harkishan Singh and Dr P C Dandia, for their contribution towards pharmacy education in the country.

A pharma quiz and scientific session were also organized during the meet. Association's State President R A Sharma presided over. The meet was conducted by Kailash Bidasaria and Association's State Secretary Dr S B Rijhwani proposed the vote of thanks.