The Indian Pharmacological Society (IPS) has proposed to establish a Moving Academy of Pharmacologists (MAP), which will comprise a group of scientists and academicians from different regions of the country. MAP will visit peripheral medical colleges and will initiate discussions on issues that are contemporary in nature. MAP is likely to be in place by 2007. A detailed plan is being prepared at this stage, Dr YK Gupta, president, IPS and head - Department of Pharmacology, AIIMS, told Pharmabiz.

The Society is constantly updating its members on a variety of aspects such as ethical issues in animal and human trials, design and conduct of clinical trials, GLP, GCP, GMP, need for incorporating clinical pharmacology in pharmacology curriculum and scientific writing, which can also be the focus areas of the MAP.

IPS, one of the largest professional societies in India with 2500 plus members, has recently held its mid term executive committee meeting at IICT, Hyderabad, to take note on major developments in the field of pharmacology and make important decisions on specific aspects.

As part of its initiatives, IPS is launching an interactive portal, which will be updated with a discussion platform on various therapeutics, irrational drug combinations, academic issues, list of all pharmacologists in India including those in North-East, lab capabilities across the country, he informed.

ICMR has agreed to financially support an initiative, which enables training of pharmacologists in the North-East region on scientific writing and ethical issues. Several workshops are being conducted in Gangtok, Imphal, Tejpur and Kolkata. Training of postgraduates has also attained significance. Existing teaching, training and assessment of postgraduates is being evaluated.

There is a growing menace of irrational drug combinations, which are easily available in the market without the approval of the DCGI. Keeping this in view, IPS has created a separate wing, which will compile information on all such combinations and will help DCGI with specific recommendations. DCGI has agreed to have the opinion of IPS scientists on this matter, Dr Gupta added.

IPS has also conducted discussions on large animal trials with various officials at various levels. It has been understood that there is a need to create infrastructure facilities and experts for carrying tests in large animals. Huge amounts are being spent by industry to carry out these trials outside India. A detailed document has been submitted to the Planning Commission in this regard, with relevant suggestions.