After many years of hibernation, the Pharmaceutical Discussion Group (PDG), Delhi, a think-tank by the veterans to monitor and advise on the policies and contemporary issues, is all set for a revival with a meeting scheduled here on March 23.

Some of the founding members have now taken the lead to revive the PDG with Prafull D Sheth as convenor as at present there are no such bodies of veterans with long years of experience to guide the youngsters, besides sensitizing the authorities on new policy matters. The Group will now discuss issues like Central Drug Authority (CDA) formation and status of pharmacy education and pass on the recommendations to the concerned authorities and all stake-holders in the coming weeks, Sheth told Pharmabiz.

The PDG came into existence in 1987, taking inspiration from the Chicago Discussion Group, and held meetings regularly till a few years ago, before going into hiatus. The discussions in the Group paved way for lots of changes in the pharmacy profession in particular and the industry in general.

``It is imperative that concerted efforts have to be made to develop community, hospital, governmental and clinical pharmacy practices for superior pharmaceutical health care in the country. The Heads of the postgraduate pharmacy institutions in Delhi and its hinterland may be of considerable help in this respect. Younger group of educationists and professionals have to be eventually playing the role of leadership to carry out the professional agenda,'' said Sheth.

The founding members to attend the meeting would include Prof SN Sharma, Prof. P C Dandiya, Dr P R Pabrai, Dr Prem K Gupta, P D Sheth, Dr Prabhat S Chauhan, Mohan C Bazaz and Mukund S Yelvigi. List of invitees also include lots of luminaries connected to the profession and industry. DIPSAR principal Prof S S Agarwal, Dr Himadri Sen of Ranbaxy Lab, Brijesh Regal of Delhi Pharmaceutical Trust, Dr B D Miglani, Dr D B A Narayana, Dr B P Srinivasan, Prof R K Khar, Dr Alka Ahuja, Dr Meenakshi Bajpai, Dr Kamala Pathak, Dr Arun Nanda and Dr Arun Garg among others.

The PDG used to meet periodically which was once a month and more frequently if warranted till the activities came to a halt a few years ago. It invited eminent scientists, educationists, technologists, managers and others to address the members and to discuss relevant issues of importance with them. It discussed issues like revision of curricula at the B.Pharm and M. Pharm levels and an Approach Paper presented to PCI and AICTE. Upgradation of the qualification of pharmacists (Diploma in Pharmacy) and setting up of model retail and hospital pharmacies were some other major topics took birth at the PDG.

Being a body with a mix of senior pharmaceutical scientists, technologists, drug control administrators, community pharmacists and educationists as well as young aspirants to the profession, it can make contribution to the profession of pharmacy and its practice in India, the organizers said.