Increase in air pollution has contributed for the rise in diabetes across the world and around 25 percent of the population are suffering heart attacks even before crossing 40 years said Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, Bengaluru, Director Dr. C.N. Manjunath.

He was speaking after inaugurating a series of lecture programme organised by Sarada Vilas College of Pharmacy to mark the Golden Jubilee celebrations at the College auditorium here yesterday.

Over the past few decades, the pharmaceutical companies have mushroomed. Many of the pharma companies manufacture both branded and generic medicines. It is the responsibility of the companies to provide quality medicines and people who are working in pharmacies must take utmost care and caution. In order to avoid confusion, the Medical Council of India (MCI) has ordered the doctors to write the prescription in capital letters, he added.

Indian Pharmaceutical Committee President Dr. B. Suresh predicted that the number of patients succumbing to diseases like HIV/AIDS and Cancer would increase in 15 years owing to deficiency of immunity and added that there was a need to create awareness on the lack of antibiotics.

Sarada Vilas Educational Institution President B.S. Parthasarathy, Secretary H.K. Srinath, College Principal Dr. Hanumanthachar Joshi were present.