The Pharmaceutical Society of Kerala, the subsidiary of Kerala State Pharmacy Council (KSPC), formed with a vision to support and enhance the pharmacy practices in the state, will soon be opening a chain of wholesale and retail pharmacy outlets in Kerala. They will also be starting a Pharmaceutical Science College this year.
KSPC president K M Ishac said that the wholesale and retail pharmacy outlets will provide medicines at a subsidized rate for the people and will also offer authentic information about drug interaction and drug and food interaction too. "We are planning to provide the information in the pharmacy itself and we are planning to have a counter for providing the same for the people," Ishac said.
Sharing information on starting a pharmaceutical science college, he said that around 5 acres of land had been purchased in Pandheerankavu near Kozhikode in Kerala. The estimated investment for the college would be around Rs 5 crore and it will be in lines with the latest developments in the pharma industry.
"We are naming the college as M N V G Adiyodi Memorial Pharmaceutical Sciences College. It is named after the former president of KSPC and we are also planning to conduct research programmes in the college too. Moreover there are many private colleges in the state today, so the government colleges should also be on par with them," Ishac said.
Speaking about the activities of the KSPC, Ishac said the council was planning to start a Drug Information Centre in its premises. The proposed centre would function 24 hours and provide information about all the drugs and their various interactions. The data for the same is being collected with the help of M Pharm students in the Trivandrum Pharmacy College.
"It is important that the people who purchase the medicines should know about the issues related to drugs and medicines. They cannot always go to a doctor and ask doubts. Hence we are planning to start the centre," he said.
He said that KSPC was also conducting continuing medical education programmes throughout the state for registered pharmacists, especially seniors. This was in accordance with the order passed by the Pharmacy Council of India that had in no uncertain terms stated not to revive the pharmacist's registration if he/she had not undergone a CME at least once in five years.
"This is because there might be pharmacists who would have completed the diploma many years back and would not be aware of the developments in the pharma industry. We need to update their knowledge, as they are very crucial for our industry. We have been calling in for applications and the first preference is given to the senior members. The council also gives them computer training with the aid of a software called "Pharmasol Excel", which offers comprehensive training in Drug and Drug-food interaction," Ishac said.