The 22nd Annual Conference of Indian Pharmacy Graduates Association (IPGA), based on the theme "Role of Pharmacists in Clinical Research and Pharmaceutical Innovations," will be organised in New Delhi on October 1.

Dr Yoganand Shastri, minister of health, Government of Delhi and Mangat Ram Singhal, minister of industry, Government of Delhi are to be the chief guests of the programme. Dr C L Kaul, ex-director, NIPER is to deliver the keynote address. Professionals from all walks of pharmacy discipline are expected to participate in the conference. Announcing this at a press conference here, P P Sharma, chairman, organising committee said that the conference is expected to enrich the knowledge of pharmacists engaged in clinical research, clinical trials, regulatory bodies and R&D.

He wanted the Central Government to recognise the importance role pharmacists have to play in Indian healthcare delivery system. The event is to have seven scientific sessions with Dr Satish Bhatia, chief executive, Oscar Research Laboratories, Dr S K Gupta, Dean Institute of Clinical Research, Shabir Rangwala Director, GVK Biosciences Pvt Ltd, Dr Sharad Vadhera, Director KAN & Krishme, Dr Radhakrishnan Gowrishankar, Head, Clinical Research Ranbaxy Laboratories, Dr Adeep Bagati, Vice President Clinical Research Reliance Life Sciences and Dr Anurita Majumdar, Associate Director, Medical Affairs, GVK Biosciences Pvt Ltd leading the sessions. The panel discussion is to be headed by Prof S S Agrawal, Principal, Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

"We are sure that the conference will be beneficial for the pharmacy professionals working in pharmaceutical industry, hospitals, academics, R&D and regulatory departments to analyze and evaluate clinical data, to ensure site compliance, study drug protocols, FDA regulations, ICH guidelines, Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and updating technology of clinical research innovations," Atul Kumar Nasa, organising secretary IPGA informed.

The scientific sessions planned during the conference are overview of drug development process, GCP guidelines, pharmacovigilance, drug regulatory affairs, clinical trial process, informed consent documentation, patent processing and pharmaceutical research innovations.