At the annual general meeting of Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India, Ranjit Shahani, vice-chairman and managing director of Novartis India, was unanimously re-elected as the president for the year 2006-07.

The executive committee includes four vice presidents Ranga Iyer, MD, Wyeth Limited, Dr Shailesh Ayyangar, MD, Aventis Pharma Limited Sanofi Aventis group, Kewal Handa, MD, Pfizer Limited and Dr Girish Telang, MD, Roche Scientific Company India Limited.

OPPI also presented their annual awards of excellence, which were initiated to recognize, honour and encourage outstanding performance in the pharmaceutical sector. This year, OPPI Marketing Excellence Award was presented to Novartis India Limited for their performance in the marketing of 'Voveran' for the No 1 brand in the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry in the 'Existing Pharmaceutical Products' category. Sanofi Aventis was honoured with the Marketing Excellence Award for their performance in the marketing of 'Myoril', an effective and non-sedating muscle relaxant for low back pain, in the 'new pharmaceutical Products' category.

The OPPI scientist award was presented to Dr Arvind Kumar Bansal from the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) for his outstanding work in the area of 'pharmaceutics'.

Gujarat Glass Limited, a five times recipient of the Best Vendor award received this honour yet another time, for their performance in the category of 'packaging material suppliers'. Associated Capsules Pvt Ltd also was awarded the OPPI best vendor award, for the second time, for their performance in the category of 'raw material suppliers'.

Murli Deora, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas was the Chief Guest and handed over the Awards of Excellence to Winners.