Mysore/Mysuru: Dr. T.V. Narayana, National President, Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), said that pharmacists were the first to come out to give service to the society in the tough COVID-19 situation.

He was speaking at the inauguration of ‘World Pharmacist Day’ online organised jointly by IPA, eight Pharmaceutical Associations, four Pharmacy Colleges and JSS College of Pharmacy here recently.

“Today, all over India, 7-8 lakh doctors, 9-10 lakh nurses, and thousands of Police officials were involved in the service of COVID-19 patients. But more than 12 lakh pharmacists working in different health sectors — like 2 lakh from Industry personnel, 50,000 hospital pharmacists, 60,000 pharma teachers and 2,000 State Regulatory Officers were also helping to contain the pandemic.

Dr. Surinder Singh, Vice-Chancellor, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSS AHER), Mysuru, and winner of Asian Pharmacist Award, emphasised the role of pharmacists in global health. 

He said the pharmacists, in association with other healthcare providers, have potential to address emerging global health issues such as health literacy, management of acute and chronic diseases, environmental, e-Health, impact of global travel on the spread of infectious diseases,  mental health, traditional and herbal medicines. 

They can also play a pivotal role in tailoring interventions to the needs of the vulnerable population such as geriatric care, adolescent care, paediatric care, maternal care, family planning, people with special needs and palliative care and comfort care.

Dr. B. Manjunatha, Registrar, JSS AHER, thanked all the pharmacists for their role in the treatment of Corona patients.

Dr. Hanumanthachar Joshi, Principal, Sarada Vilas College of Pharmacy, spoke on how to improve health services for patients through the effective usage of therapeutic products and increase the importance of pharmacists in the medical team.

He thanked Dr. B. Suresh, President, Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) and Pro-Chancellor, JSS AHER, for switching many regulations from PCI time to time to uplift the pharmacist profession. However, still there are some issues in the pharmacy profession that need to be fixed for the betterment of pharmacists.

Dr. T.M. Pramod Kumar, Principal, JSS College of Pharmacy, Dr R.S. Chandan, Secretary, IPA, Mysuru Branch, Dr. B.M. Gurupadayya, Treasurer, Shilpa Palaksha, Mahendran and members of IPA, were present.

Dr. Md. Salahuddin, Principal, Farooqia College of Pharmacy, Mysuru and Vice-President, IPA Mysuru Branch; Dr. M. Manjunata, Principal, Cauvery College of Pharmacy, also spoke.

Aishwarya, Final B Pharm, rendered the invocation. Dr. T.M. Pramod Kumar welcomed.

Pharma COVID Warriors

On this occasion, pharma students were felicitated for working as Corona Warriors. They are: Sachhidananda R. Adiga, 5th year Pharm D and Abhishek, 4th year Pharm D from Sarada Vilas College of Pharmacy; Ravikumar, 1st D Pharm, Cauvery College of Pharmacy; Dr. Sarah Ateeq, Pharm D; Mohammad Siddiqui, Final year B. Pharm from JSS College of Pharmacy; Dr. Sajidul Hoque.