Maharashtra State Pharmacy Council (MSPC) has released a set of new publications on the occasion of World Pharmacist Day on Sept 25, 2014 to equip pharmacists on the latest advancements in the pharma industry. A World Pharmacist Day special issue of Bulletin designed by the Drug Information Centre was also released on the occasion.

The publications included an E-newsletter compilation (August 2013- July 2014). MSPC's Drug Information Centre (DIC) had started sending a series of health related information on the email id of around 1, 60, 000 registered pharmacists in three languages (English, Hindi and Marathi) since last year.

According to Kinnari Desai Divakar -Incharge DIC, "Till now we have been able to reach the pharmacists through emails and are constantly striving to involve more number of pharmacists. We have published this compilation of all the articles sent during last one year over e-mail to our registered members."

The second publication, Drug Information Queries @DIC (2011 -2013) which came into existence for updating pharmacist's knowledge through a question and answer format paved the way for new queries to be addressed by the DIC. It consists of some major queries received at DIC segregated in different sections like queries on counseling, side effects of drugs and drug interactions.

Said Saili Masal, registrar, MSPC, "MSPC is always steadfast to initiate and conduct a number of activities ranging from publishing new books to organizing training workshops for registered pharmacists through its DIC. All these activities are conducted with a single agenda in mind, which is to improve the image of pharmacists and pharmacy profession in our country. The motto being, 'Transcend the pharmacist from Trader to a professional'. "

"The most important document for a registered pharmacist is the Registration Certificate. The first five candidates, who approached the council office on 25th September, 2014 were granted the Registration certificate on the same day, after thorough document verification," she added.

The Pharmacists were provided with a newly customized "Registered Pharmacist" name plate prepared by council to help the pharmacists stand out as being professional. It would also help the patient identify the pharmacist in a community Pharmacy and can divert their medicine related queries to them.

Informed Vivek Chaudhari, joint registrar, MSPC, "Pharmacist being a vital link between the patient and allied healthcare professionals, 25th September is celebrated as World Pharmacists Day (WPD) globally every year designated by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Council. This year’s theme is: “Access to pharmacists is access to health”, the theme which is very apt keeping in mind the changes that are taking place in the pharmaceutical arena. It clearly signifies the importance of a pharmacist right from manufacturing to final delivery of the product to the patient and thus improving access to medicines."

Lastly, a book on Adverse Drug Reaction Induced by Drugs (specific ADR) was also released. A drug-induced disease is the unintended effect of a drug that results in mortality or morbidity with symptoms sufficient to prompt a patient to seek medical attention and/or to require hospitalisation. Despite best efforts to ensure the safety and effectiveness of all drugs, millions of patients each year develop drug-induced diseases that increase the overall healthcare cost. The book gives a list of drugs that can lead to a new onset of diseases or exacerbate an existing condition like myasthenia gravis, aplastic anaemia, hypertension, hypotension, hyperglycaemia, hypoglycaemia, hyper/hypoglycaemia, ototoxicity and tinnitus. This can help all the healthcare professionals to identify a drug interaction and prevent an ADR.

Savita Nehete, member, MSPC, concluded that the council is planning to initiate and implement continuing education programs for the registered pharmacists. She also emphasised the importance of being tech savvy in today's world of globalisation." She added that if pharmacists offer their professional services in the right manner, it will be a boon for the healthcare system in India.