The first International Clinical Pharmacy Conclave – CP Conclave 2023 – was held during November 15 – 16, 2023 at Amrita Kochi Campus. The theme of the conclave was “Engaging Students in Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Stewardship.” The event was jointly organized by Amrita School of Pharmacy, Kochi and the Federation of Clinical Pharmacists in India (FCPI).

Scientific sessions of the two-day conference began with the theme – Where are we now with Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship. There were talks covering various dimensions of the theme by subject experts. The topic – Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist in India:Past, Present, and Future – was presented by Dr. VrindaNampoothiri, PhD Scholar, Amrita Hospital, Kochi. Dr. Merlin Moni, Clinical Associate Professor at the Division of Infectious Diseases at Amrita Hospital, Kochi dealt with the topic – Dry Antibiotic Pipeline and Emergence of Antimicrobial Resistance. The next topic – Fast Track your Strategies to Rationalize Antimicrobial Use- was delivered by Dr. Anup R Warrier, Senior Consultant, Department of Infectious Diseases & Hospital Infection Control, Aster DM Healthcare. Dr. NanditaShashindran, Associate Professor of Microbiology, Amrita Hospital, Kochi, talked on the Role of Microbiology in Optimizing Antimicrobial Therapy. The session was chaired by Dr. M.K.Unnikrishnan, Adjunct Faculty at Amrita School of Pharmacy.

Inaugural ceremony followed.Dr.Sabitha M., Principal, Amrita School of Pharmacy, welcomed the gathering. Dr.Anup R. Warrier, Senior Consultant, Department of Infectious Diseases & Hospital Infection Control, Aster DM Healthcare inaugurated the program. Dr. S. Sudhindran, Clinical Professor and Chief Transplant Surgeon at the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery and Solid Organ Transplantation at Amrita Hospital, Kochi, delivered the keynote address. A video message from Dr. Sanjeev Singh (Medical Director, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad) graced the occasion. Mr. Muhammed Rashid, Vice President of FCPI& Senior Research Fellow at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Karnataka) gave an overview of the significance and objectives of CP Conclave 2023.

Next was a panel discussion on the topic – Bridging the Gap between Academia and Practice – Opportunities for Clinical Pharmacists in India. The participants were Dr. Mohamed Hisham, Clinical Pharmacist at Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi; Dr. Sabitha M., Professor and Principal, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Kochi; Dr. SarathChandran C., Assistant Professor at the College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Government Medical College, Kannur, Pariyaram; Dr.Siby Joseph, Professor and Head of the Department of Pharmacy Practice, St.Joseph College of Pharmacy, Cherthala; Dr.Suja Abraham, Professor and Head of the Department of Pharmacy Practice, Nirmala College of Pharmacy, Muvattupuzha; and Dr. Grace Mary John, Infectious Diseases Clinical Specialist and Chief Clinical Pharmacist at Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla.

The session on Upskilling yourself in Infectious Diseases and Antimicrobial Stewardship had three major topics – Best Resources in Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infectious Diseases for Clinical Pharmacists by Dr. Mohamed Hisham (Clinical Pharmacist at Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi), Skills to Level up as an Infectious Diseases Clinical Pharmacist by Dr. Grace Mary John (Infectious Diseases Clinical Specialist and Chief Clinical Pharmacist at Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla) and Building a Culture to Publish Quality Research in Pharmacy by Mr. Muhammed Rashid (Vice President of FCPI & Senior Research Fellow, at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Karnataka). The session was chaired by Dr. Prashant Chandra, Assistant Professor at the Department of Pharmacy Practice, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Kochi.

The afternoon session of day one on Interaction and Toxicities of Antimicrobials covered two topics. Dr. Aysha Sana, Senior Clinical Pharmacist at Aster Medcity, Kochi, presented on the topic Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with Antimicrobials and Dr. Alya Salim, Clinical Pharmacist at Apollo Hospital, Chennai dealt with the topic Clinically Significant Antibiotic Adverse Effects and Toxicities. Dr. M.P. Narmadha, Professor and Head of the Department of Pharmacy Practice, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Kochi chaired the session.

On day two, the first session on the theme Low Hanging Fruits in Antimicrobial Stewardship covered four topics. They were Antimicrobial Dosing for Patients with Renal and Hepatic Impairment by Dr. Aysha Sana (Senior Clinical Pharmacist at Aster Medcity, Kochi), Intravenous Antimicrobial Diluents and Drug compatibilities by Dr. HarithaRajakrishnan (Critical Care Pharmacist at the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery and Solid Organ Transplant at Amrita Hospital, Kochi), Intermittent Infusion vs Extended Infusion vs Continuous Infusion of Beta Lactams – Optimizing Pharmacokinetics by Dr. Grace Mary John (Infectious Diseases Clinical Specialist and Chief Clinical Pharmacist at Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Thiruvalla) and Switching from Intravenous to Oral : Optimizing Antimicrobial Stewardship by Dr. Mohamed Hisham (Clinical Pharmacist at Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi). The session was chaired by Dr. SonalSekhar M., Associate Professor at the Department of Pharmacy Practice, Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The second session was on the theme Let’s Make Infectious Diseases More Interesting. The topics covered were :Critical Appraisal of a Practice Changing Article by Mr. Muhammed Rashid (Vice President of FCPI & Senior Research Fellow, at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Karnataka), Tales from Bedside by Ms. Anjali Venugopal&Gopika Vinod (PharmD Interns, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Kochi), Digital Strategies and Social Media for Advancing in Infectious Diseases by Dr. Mohamed Hisham(Clinical Pharmacist at Cleveland Clinic, Abu Dhabi). Dr. Beena P., Professor and Principal, KVM College of Pharmacy, Cherthala, chaired the session.

Next was a panel discussion on – Overcome the Communication Gaps in Healthcare between Physicians, Microbiologists, Pharmacists, & Students. The panelists were Dr.Dipu T.S., Clinical Associate Professor at the Department of Internal Medicine, Amrita Hospital, Kochi; Dr. V. Anil Kumar,, Professor and Head of the Department of Clinical Microbiology, Amrita Hospital, Kochi; Dr. VrindaNampoothiri, PhD Scholar, Amrita Hospital, Kochi; Dr. M.P. Narmadha, Professor and Head of the Department of Pharmacy Practice, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Kochi; Mr. Abhishek M., PharmD Intern, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Kochi.

The last session of day two was on the theme – What Else is Interesting in Infectious Diseases. This session consisted of four topics – Antibiotic Allergy-Existence and Challenges by Dr. Kiran G. Kulirankal (Assistant Professor at the Department of General Medicine, Amrita Hospital, Kochi). Antifungal Stewardship by Dr. NeerajSidharthan (Professor and Head of the Department of Clinical Hematology& Division of Stem Cell Transplant, Amrita Hospital, Kochi), Infectious Diseases in Oncology Patients:Role of Clinical Pharmacists by Dr. Alya Salim (Clinical Pharmacist at Apollo Hospital, Chennai) and Pediatric Infectious Diseases-Opportunities for Clinical Pharmacists by Dr. Praveena N.B. (Assistant Professor at the Department of Pediatrics, Amrita Hospital, Kochi). The session was chaired by Dr. V. Anil Kumar, Professor and Head of the Department of Clinical Microbiology, Amrita Hospital, Kochi.

Around 650 people participated in the event including 500 registered delegates, the remaining numbers were the organizing team, resource persons, pharmacy student volunteers, and a few clinicians from Amrita Hospital, Kochi. Delegates were from 34 different pharmacy colleges and institutions across India. Hundred and seven abstracts were submitted, of which 94 were accepted and presented as e-posters. Two hundred and twenty-two delegates participated live for the ID quiz. Nine participants registered for the cartoon drawings competition. Total cash prizes worth INR 20,000/- were divided amongst 11 winners for all competitions combined. The event also showcased cultural programs and magic show during the lunch breaks. The conclave was an educational feast, with a lot of fun and leisure activities complementing the learning experience.