Amity Institute of Pharmacy (AIP), AUUP, Noida organized World Pharmacists Day– 2024 on the theme “Pharmacists: Meeting global health needs”.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest Dr. Sanchit Sharma, Director, Ayouthveda, AIMIL Pharmaceuticals, Delhi, averred, “The theme for this year’s World Pharmacists Day, highlights the crucial role pharmacists play in meeting global health challenges and promoting better health outcomes. Pharmacists have a significant impact on healthcare systems, from dispensing medication to counselling patients on proper usage and ensuring drug safety. Safe medication is imperative, and the medicines must first be tested internally, only after that they should be given to the patients. Use of new technologies such as AI in Drug Discovery, Nanotechnology and Genomics are going to change the world of medicine. The youth will be the future pharmacists and therefore they should study hard and enhance their knowledge.” He called upon the students to focus on learning and skill development which will make them a good pharmacist.
Dr. Anant Narayan Bhatt, Scientist - Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS), DRDO Delhi, stated, “In ancient times, Charak was the father of medicine in Ayurveda, who was both a physician and a pharmacist. In the current scenario, we have pharmacists who interact with more number of patients than a doctor and patients often change their doctor but not the pharmacist. India is the world’s largest of generic medicines by volume, with a 20% share of total global pharmaceutical exports. It is also the largest vaccine supplier in the world by volume, accounting for more than 60% of all vaccines manufactured in the world. The focus of the pharmacist should shift from technical, product-oriented service to patient-oriented health service. Errors related to wrong medicine and dose can be resolved with digitized prescription, and wrong prescription such as overuse of steroids during COVID 19, must be avoided.
Highlighting the significance of World Pharmacists Day, Dr. H R Chitme, Dy. Director, Amity Institute of Pharmacy, said, “World Pharmacists Day is celebrated every year on 25th September to raise awareness about the necessity of promoting good health and robust, sustainable healthcare systems worldwide while addressing health disparities. Pharmacists need to think how they can do their best for the welfare of people since they are the backbone of the healthcare system. A pharmacist’s role includes drug discovery and formulation of the medicines, marketing the medicines and bringing them to the customers, thereby benefitting the society. A pharmacist is also socially responsible and must act with great wisdom in providing the right medicine to the patients.”
The Programme concluded with announcement of results of debate, poster and rangoli competitions and the Vote of Thanks was delivered by Dr Tanveer Naved, Dy. Dean, Amity Institute of Health & Allied Sciences.