A webinar series was hosted by Amrita School of Pharmacy, Kochi in connection to World Pharmacists Day 2020 celebrations to promote the theme suggested by International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)‘Transforming Global Health’. The 4 day series which began on 23rd September 2020 and ended on 26th September had spectra of 7 divergent sessions handled by experienced and enthusiastic pharmacy and health care professionals. The virtual platform witnessed the presence of more than 600 participants including in-house students and faculty as well as delegates of around 15 other pharmacy institutions within and outside the state of Kerala. Webinar series started on 23/09/2020 with opening remarks by Dr.Sabitha M, Principal, Amrita School of Pharmacy on the objectives of the webinar.
Day 1 (23/09/2020): The inaugural session was handled by Iconic pharmacy professional of India, Dr.Rao VSV Vadlamudi, President, Commonwealth Pharmacist Association(CPA) who delivered an excellent session on ‘COVID -19 Resources available for pharmacy professionals from CPA’. The session also directed towards the role and possibilities of pharmacists to become front liners in fighting the pandemic.
Second session of the day was on the topic ‘ Clinical Pharmacist’s interventions in critical care and liver transplant ICU’ was given by Dr.Abhijith K, Clinical Pharmacist of GI surgery and liver transplant, AIMS, Kochi. The responsibilities, potentials and experiences of a young clinical pharmacist in a surgery department were detailed in the session.
Day 2(24/09/2020): Dr.Sujith Chandy, Professor at department of Pharmacology&Clinical Pharmacology and administrative head of Pharmacy, Christian Medical College, Vellore had provided insights on ‘Medicines & Global health’. It was a thought provoking session on the medicine related aspects affecting global health.
Webinar also marked the presence of dedicated government official Dr.V Kalaiselvam, Principal Scientific Officer, Indian Pharmacopeial Commission, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ghaziabad. He had given a lecture on ‘Pharmacists role in medical safety surveillance-scope and contemporary challenge’. The session was an eye opener to budding professionals about the opportunities awaiting them in the field of medical devices. Day 3(25/09/2020): The session on the day of World Pharmacists Day 2020 was marked with a session by an adorable lady professional in field of Pharmacy. Ms.Manju Mathai registered pharmacist, Jefferson Northeast Hospital Pennsylvania, USA delivered a talk on ‘Role of Pharmacist in the management of COPD’. She also shared about the perquisites and legal requirements for entering into pharmacy profession in USA.
Day 4 (26/09/2020): Mr. Praveen Menon, Regional Manager, Personalised Health Care Foundation Medicine, Roche, India, presented the topic “Role of cancer genomics and precision oncology in transforming cancer care”. The session began with basics of various conventional treatments and tests used in cancer then discussed about genomic level changes in cancer, and various genetic testing used in precision oncology lucidly.
Mr.Deepak Singh, Head R & D (Sales), Ganson Ltd.Mumbai and Mr.Mahesh Pooyath, Executive, R & D, Oman Pharmaceutical Products Co.LLC, Oman delivered a talk on the topic “New career arenas in Pharma field & Pharmacists : Changing the face of healthcare.” The session provided insights on the new potential areas and domains that can be explored and excelled by the pharmacy professionals in coming future. Both the speakers added about the post graduate courses that could be fitted to different career profiles.
Participants and faculty expressed their gratitude towards programme organisers for the initiation taken to provide informative and educative sessions through a virtual platform amidst the pandemic situation. Participants were enlightened by gaining knowledge about clinically relevant real world practicing aspects and commented about how the talk had transformed their insights about pharmacy profession. Participants even expressed their wish towards hearing more such useful talks from our school.
The entire programme was co-ordinated with the support of the Principal and faculty members of co curricular committee and department of Pharmacy Practice.
