SRINAGAR: Second online lecture of the International Webinar Series initiated by the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in collaboration with UGC-Human Resource Development Centre of the University of Kashmir (KU) was delivered by Prof. B. Suresh, President of the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and Pro-Chancellor of the JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru.
Lecture was delivered on the topic, “Pharmacy Profession in India: Present Status and Future Challenges”.
According to the organizers of the lecture series the lecture was attended by more than 1000 participants that included students, scholars, academicians, industrialists, non-academicians and drug regulators from all across the world.
In his lecture, Prof. B. Suresh idiscussed at length about the recent trends and latest advancements made in the field of Pharmaceutical Sciences and also threw light upon the future challenges posed by this profession for the pharmacists especially in the Indian context.
Calling upon his fellow-pharmacists to equip themselves with the latest knowledge about healthcare and medicines so that they can contribute directly in patient care, Prof. B. Suresh emphasized upon the need to enhance skills, competencies, know-how and abilities of pharmacists in various specializations of pharmacy so that they can contribute effectively towards building a healthier, happier and safer society.
Prof Suresh has been serving as the President of Pharmacy Council of India since 2003 for a record fourth consecutive term.
He has also served as President of the Indian Pharmaceutical Association and Chairman of the scientific body of Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (2012 -2017) which is responsible for setting up of standards for pharmaceutical substances and formulations.
Prof. B. Suresh has drafted the Pharmavision 2020 that was launched by Late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the former President of India, in the year 2008.
In her welcome address, Prof. Nahida Tabassum, Head, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences KU dwelled upon the academic and research contributions of her department and expressed hope that with the extension of jurisdiction of the Pharmacy Council of India and Central Pharmacy Act to Jammu and Kashmir, practice of pharmacy profession as well as pharmacy education will be streamlined and this profession will touch a new horizon in days to come.
She urged upon the President of PCI to enforce Education Regulations in J&K and safeguard the interest of diploma and degree holders in Pharmacy.
In his inaugural address, Director, UGC-HRDC, KU Prof. Shabir Ahmad Bhat emphasized that PCI should take initiatives to ensure that the pharmacists get fully integrated in the healthcare system and drug policy formulation for improving access to healthcare and essential medicines.
He appreciated the views expressed by Prof. B. Suresh on digitizing pharmacy education, redesigning curricula and focusing upon other related areas of equal importance. Prof. Shabir urged upon the pharmacy professionals to follow the footprints of Prof. B. Suresh and emerge successful in their respective specializations in order to bring the profession to its zenith and at par with pharmacy professions all across the globe.
Organizing Secretary of the webinar, Dr. Geer Mohammad Ishaq in his opening remarks dwelled upon the importance of such a lecture at a time when pharmacy profession is fast transitioning worldwide from bench side to bed side and the focus is shifting from the product to the patient. He conducted the proceedings of the session and also proposed vote of thanks to the speaker as well as the participants of the webinar.