65th IPC: More power to the pharmacist

Shalini Gupta – New Delhi

The 65th Indian Pharmaceutical Congress(IPC), a three-day conference was held from December 20-22 at the sprawling campus of Amity University, Noida. Hosted by IPGA (Indian Pharma Graduates Association) with the underlying theme of ‘Empowering the Pharmacist’, the event was attended by more than 5000 delegates from India and abroad.

Guest of Honour, Dr GN Singh, Drug Controller General (India), inaugurates the 65th IPC with the traditional lighting of the lamp followed by other senior dignitaries

The first day saw the inauguration by the Chief Guest, Dr VM Katoch, Secretary – Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Director General – Indian Council of Medical Research along with the Guest of Honour, Dr GN Singh – Drugs Controller General of India, Atul Kumar Nasa, President, Indian Pharmaceutical Congress Association, Dr Ashok K Chauhan, Founder President, Amity Group and Chief Patron of IPC, SB Shashank, Special Secretary Health, Government of Delhi and RC Juneja, Chairman cum Managing Director, Mankind Pharma. An award distribution ceremony coordinated by Rajesh Madan, Executive Director, Medicamen Biotech and delivered jointly by members along with DG, ICMR, VM Katoch was also held that recognised achievers.

In his inaugural address, Dr Katoch said, “Pharmacy is one of the few professions linked with the future of the country. However, even after passing out with diplomas or degrees, they are disheartened to find less employment opportunities in this field.” He raised concern about the implementation of the suggestion during seminars in the practical aspects of pharmacy and suggested that corporates must work closely with the academicians in this regard.

In line with its theme of ‘Empowering the Pharmacist’, the event began with the President’s Symposium, with eminent members sharing their views and apprising the audience of the pivotal importance of a pharmacist in today’s environment.

Dr B Suresh, President, Pharmaceutical Council of India and Vice Chancellor, JSS University, Karnataka kicked off the session by giving an educational perspective on the topic.

While thanking the speakers, Atul Kumar Nasa, President, 65th IPC, touched the pulse of the audience, especially the huge contingent of pharmacy students, that he would try his best to make the amendment of Rule 71, 76 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act allowing only a pharmacy graduate to be recognised for the post of competent technical staff, a reality. This drew a huge round of applause from the audience.

RC Juneja, Chairman, 65th IPC, Local Organising Committee (LOC), and Managing Director, Mankind Pharma in his welcome address expressed joy at having got an opportunity to interact with professional pharmacists and learn at the grass root level. “Pharmacists play a vital role in boosting the sales of drugs and will also be instrumental in changing the image of India as the generic capital of the world,” he said. He also thanked the students and LOC members for their hard work and contribution to make the event a success.

Chauhan delivered the vote of thanks to students, exhibitors, central council members, National Council and advisors for their support. Addressing the gathering of scientists and distinguished academicians, he further sought their participation to achieve the target of filing 200 patents within two to three years and papers in various peer reviewed journals.

Memorial lectures

The second day saw Dr HG Koshia, Commissioner, Food & Drug Control Administration, Government of Gujarat deliver the BV Patel Memorial Lecture on the topic ‘Innovative use of Technology in Drug Regulatory System – FDCA Gujarat.’ He stressed that even as Food & Drug Control Administration (FDCA) is responsible for issuing licenses to manufacturer, sales licenses to retailers wholesalers, distributors, stockists and C&F agent dealing with pharma and related product, it is also mandated to monitor the quality of drug being manufactured in Gujarat or coming from other states. Hence, timely recall of sub- standard / spurious drugs, after proper laboratory testing, is also an important function of FDCA.

Around 1,700 paper presentations spread across 40 plenary sessions across three days, saw experts deliberate on topics such as ‘Molecular & Cardiovascular Pharmacology’, ‘Sustaining quality in Pharma Education’, ‘Novel drug delivery system’, ‘Pharmacovigilance’, ‘Advances in regulatory science & affairs’ to name a few. More than 180 exhibitors showcased their new products and technologies under the Pharmaceutical Expo.

IPC’s first job fair

Amidst all this, it was the pharma job fair at the venue that was choc-a-bloc with students registering themselves for interviews with companies keen to tap talent. This initiative has been taken for the first time at an IPC and has surely been a hit. It was ably supported by a job portal set up by the organisers in the run up to the event, to facilitate registrations even before the event.

Clearly, the planning paid off. Talking about how registrations have exceeded all expectations, AK Gupta, Chairman, Pharmajob Committee said, “While 650 students registered online, 50 of them did so at the venue on December 21.”

As many as 22 companies were at the fair, including Mankind Pharma, Medicamen Biotech, Alchem Phytochemicals, Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals, Ravian Labs, Lark Labs, Percos India. ITL and Vival Labs, Abbott India visited on the last day of the show. 218 students were interviewed on the first day, of which 52 were shortlisted by companies.

Resolutions beyond the event

The closing ceremony was presided over by Union Minister Oscar Fernandes, Dr BN Singh, Managing Director, Alkem, Nasa, Chauhan and Juneja. A resolution was also passed by PD Sheth, Vice President, International Pharmaceutical Federation(FIP) proposing that it be mandatory for a Registered Pharmacist to be present in the pharmacy/ medical stores throughout its opening hours and dispense medicines. Winners of the poster competition were also felicitated as a part of the ceremony.

The event organisers also made sure that the attendees could bond in more relaxed settings. Bollywood actress and Loksabha Member of Parliament Jaya Prada inaugurated the musical cultural night on the first day wherein singer Aditya Narayan (son of singer Udit Narayan) and Priya Patel mesmerised the audience with their performances. Well known beautician Shahnaz Hussain inaugurated the cultural evening on the second day which featured performances from Rhythm Troupe, Prince Dance Group and Neha Kakkar who regaled all present.

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