Manipal IPC Commemoration Symposium 2013 provided a platform for pharma industry experts to deliberate on the way forward in drug manufacture and research.

The key objective of the symposium was to provide a wider scope for discussion on subjects of relevance to pharmacy students and the profession, said Dr N Udupa, principal, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The event coincided with the Industry Institute Interaction Programme, Alumni Meet, Annual Day Celebrations and Valedictory of Golden Jubilee of Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal.

Experts from the industry: Dr M N A Rao, (general manager research, Divi Labs, Hyderabad), Dr Raman Singh (Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, New Delhi), Dr M D Burande (Pune), Umanandan Mishra (BHU), Kiran Shankar (Wintac, Bangalore), Dr N Udupa and Dr C Mallikarjuna Rao, vice principal, MCOPS were present in the event.

The panel delved on topics covering updation in pharmacy syllabus and on the strengths of India to become pharma powerhouse in 2020.

Dr Burande covered the Pharma Vision 2020. He provided the challenges that the pharmacist needed to face and said that India had the capabilities to become a pharmacy superpower. Dr Raman Singh, principal scientific officer and quality manager, Indian Pharmacopeia Commission, explained the role of Indian Pharmacopoeia in ensuring the quality of medicines. He emphasised the need to make Indian Pharmacopoeia acceptable across the globe.

Umanandan Mishra highlighted the need for life skills and on how to develop the same to promote mental well-being and competence in young people.