As part of National Pharmacy Week celebrations, the Delhi branch of the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA) distributed thousands of awareness posters on the role of pharmacist and patient information leaflets on Diabetes and Hypertension among the hospitals, pharmacies and clinics of the state during November 20-26. Banners displaying the message of the 44th national Pharmacy Week were also displayed at various places through the city, Dr. Praveen Khullar President, IPA (Delhi Branch) and Director (Technical), Dabur Research Foundation, Sahibabad informed.
The IPA state branch had begun the celebrations with an inaugural function cum scientific seminar at Jamia Hamdard (Hamdard University). Over 150 delegates belonging to community pharmacists, trade associations, regulatory bodies, industry and a large number of students from pharmacy colleges, he said.
Christine Glover, Ex-Co- Member, Community Pharmacy Section, FIP & Past President, Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain delivered the Key Note address on the theme, "Know your pharmacist - Role of Pharmacist in public health" on the occasion. Glover deliberated on the traditional and new roles, which the pharmacists should play in order to have their identity as an important member of the health care team.
Subodh Priolkar, President, IPA, in his inaugural address spoke about the present status of the pharmaceutical industry and the various roles that the IPA is undertaking for upliftment of the profession of pharmacy and for increasing awareness about the role of Pharmacist in public health. Dr. Praveen Khullar President, IPA (Delhi Branch) gave a lively presentation on Career in Pharmacy. He emphasized upon the increasing demand and great potential for a career in pharmacy. According to him, pharmacy profession is going to be one of the most sought-after professions in near future. Dr. Manu Jaggi, Joint Director, Dabur Research Foundation, Sahibabad discussed the emerging role of a Pharmacist in the whole gamut of New Drug discovery and how a pharmaceutical scientist can be equipped to take up the new role. Dr. S. Chatterjee, Senior medical officer in Lal Bahadur Shashtri hospital emphasized the role a pharmacist can play a pivotal role in patient care and also be a source of feedback to the physician. In his concluding remarks, P. D. Sheth, immediate past president, IPA stressed for the need for bridging the gap between the physician and the patients by the pharmacist and for taking up newer roles in fighting social problems like smoking, TB, AIDS, etc.
The participants also received a copy of "Pharmacy in India - In the service of proper use of medicine" and another publication from the Community Pharmacy Section, FIP on "Guiding Principles for Pharmacist - HIV/AIDS in India."
A number of career counselling sessions were organized in various colleges and schools in Delhi throughout the week to inform the students about the various facets of the profession of pharmacy.