Invited Talk by Dr. Nibu Parameswaran Nair
Dr. Nibu Parameswaran Nair, Adjunct Lecturer and Research Fellow in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, University of Tasmania and a practicing Clinical Pharmacist in an Australian Government Hospital delivered a guest lecture on “Identifying and Managing Medication-Related Problems: Thinking Like a Safety Clinician” on 01st April 2026 at Amrita School of Pharmacy.
The lecture highlighted the comprehensive role of clinical pharmacists in managing polypharmacy, with emphasis on identifying and resolving medication-related problems, preventing and monitoring adverse drug reactions, and optimizing therapeutic outcomes. A detailed case study of an elderly patient with multiple comorbidities, including dementia, hypertension, and recurrent falls, was discussed to illustrate real-world challenges in medication review and de-prescribing. Additionally, he introduced the PADR-EC scoring system to assess patient risk based on factors like recent drug changes, renal function, cognitive impairment, antihypertensive burden, and anticholinergic use.
Overall, the session emphasized the importance of clinical judgment, patient-centered care, and structured tools in optimizing pharmacotherapy in geriatric patients with polypharmacy and was attended by 4th & 5th year Pharm.D students and M.Pharm (Pharmacy Practice) students.
Educational Visit to Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi – B.Pharm 2024 Batch
On 20th January 2026, as part of their academic curriculum, the students of B.Pharm 2024 Batch of Amrita School of Pharmacy visited the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Kochi, to gain practical insight into marine research and fisheries management. The session was led by Dr. Vipin, who explained the institute’s establishment in 1947 under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and its major research areas, including marine biodiversity, aquaculture, climate change, and sustainable fisheries. A short documentary on CMFRI’s seven-decade journey highlighted milestones such as mariculture advancements and its contribution to India’s Blue Revolution. The students also learned about CMFRI’s extensive national network of research centres supporting studies along India’s 8,118 km coastline.
The visit to the Marine Biodiversity Museum was particularly enlightening. The museum houses over 3,000 preserved marine specimens, including deep-sea organisms, sharks, rays, rare shells, corals, and holotype collections of scientific importance. Exhibits such as the Mermaid’s Purse (shark egg cases), Horseshoe crab, and giant clam shells enhanced our understanding of marine life and conservation needs.
“The visit strengthened our knowledge of marine ecosystems, emphasized the importance of sustainable fisheries, and helped us appreciate CMFRI’s vital role in marine research and community welfare,” said Melba Anna Biju, student of B.Pharm 2024 batch.
Amrita Hospital Pharmacy Visit – B. Pharm 2025 Batch
The students of the B.Pharm Second Semester (2025 Batch) of Amrita School of Pharmacy visited the Pharmacy Department of Amrita Hospital, Kochi on 17th January 2026 as part of their academic curriculum. The objective of the visit was to understand the functioning of a hospital pharmacy in a large multi-specialty healthcare setup and to observe the various responsibilities carried out by hospital pharmacists on a daily basis.
The visit included pharmacy main store, inpatient pharmacies, outpatient pharmacies, and speciality pharmacies.
The students were first taken to the pharmacy main store, which supplies medicines to 28 pharmacies across different hospital blocks. The store maintains approximately 15 days of stock to ensure uninterrupted availability of medicines. Drugs are stored in a systematic and well-organized manner and are categorized as high-value and low-value items for better inventory control. Special precautions are taken while handling LASA (Look-Alike, Sound-Alike) medicines. Look-alike drugs are identified with pink labels, and sound-alike drugs are marked with yellow labels to minimize the risk of dispensing errors. The students were also introduced to the pharmacy software system used for raising indents, monitoring stock levels, tracking expiry dates, and maintaining accurate medicine records.
The visit then continued to the inpatient pharmacy, which operates 24 hours a day to meet the needs of admitted patients. It processes more than 2000 bills daily and ensures a continuous supply of medicines to wards and critical care units. Medicines are dispensed through a dedicated software system that integrates patient details, prescriptions, and billing information. Strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) are followed to maintain safety, accuracy, and accountability in dispensing.
Subsequently, the students visited the outpatient pharmacy, which serves patients from departments such as ENT, General Medicine, and Geriatrics. This pharmacy functions independently from the inpatient section and emphasizes quick dispensing and efficient patient flow. The OP pharmacy operates every day, including Sundays, ensuring uninterrupted service for outpatients.
The students were also shown the specialty pharmacies that cater to specific clinical areas. Medicines are maintained batch-wise, and expiry dates are regularly checked to prevent wastage. A separate pediatric pharmacy operates in G Block, ensuring the availability of child-specific medicines in appropriate dosage forms. Extra precautions are taken during dispensing to ensure precision and patient safety.
Emphasis was placed on the importance of adhering to regulatory guidelines and established protocols to prevent dispensing errors. High-risk medications are stored separately, and drugs requiring special temperature conditions are maintained under appropriate storage settings.
“The hospital pharmacy visit was a highly informative and enriching experience that provided us with valuable practical exposure and deeper insight into the day-to-day functioning of a hospital pharmacy,” said Ms. Roshni R. Nair, student of B.Pharm 2025 batch.
Amrita School of Pharmacy Students Visited Kerala State Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Alappuzha
Amrita School of Pharmacy organized a one-day industrial visit for the 2023 batch of B.Pharm students to Kerala State Drugs and Pharmaceuticals (KSDP) Ltd., Alappuzha, Kerala, on 08th January 2026. KSDP is a Government of Kerala enterprise engaged in the manufacture and supply of essential and life-saving medicines, primarily catering to the requirements of government hospitals across Kerala.
The students were provided with a brief introduction to the history, existing facilities, and future development plans of KSDP by Sri. Santhosh T. R., Senior Manager (Technical), KSDP. Subsequently, the students were divided into three groups and proceeded to the non-beta-lactam plant, a facility dedicated to the manufacture of products that do not contain beta-lactam antibiotics.
The students were then guided through the facility to the tablet manufacturing unit, where the three fundamental steps of tablet manufacturing—namely granulation, compression, and coating—were explained in detail. Following this, they were taken to the primary packaging area for tablets, which included blister, alu-alu, and strip packaging. The students observed Diclofenac and Amlodipine tablets being packaged using a flat-sealing blister packaging machine (ACG BQS). The machine automatically inspected the tablet strips for filling defects, and any defective strips were rejected and disposed of.
Thereafter, the students were guided to the capsule filling area, which housed capsule filling machines with capacities of 40,000 and 90,000 capsules per hour. Although the machines were not operational at the time, the complete filling procedure was explained in detail.
The visit continued to the Oral Liquid Manufacturing Area, where syrup formulations were being produced. The students observed the filling process of Paediatric Paracetamol Syrup IP. Containers were first air-cleaned using air jets and then transported to the liquid filling line. Bottles were filled using a four-head filling machine and sealed with an eight-head automatic sealing machine. The sealed bottles were then transported via a conveyor belt to the labelling machine, following a manual inspection to ensure quality compliance before labelling.
Secondary packaging of all products was carried out in a separate designated area, where the finished products were manually packed into paper boxes or cardboard cartons, sealed, and stored for distribution with appropriate labelling.
The guide also explained the various regulatory and infrastructural specifications followed in the plant. The facility featured epoxy flooring with up-and-down coving and smooth PCGI walls to ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). An AHU/HVAC system was installed to supply HEPA-filtered, dehumidified, and temperature-controlled air to each manufacturing unit. Additionally, a double-door airlock system was provided for every manufacturing area to prevent cross-contamination, with separate airlocks for personnel and materials.
The purified water used in the preparation of medicines was sourced from a borewell and treated through multiple purification stages, including sand filtration, activated charcoal filtration, water softening, ultrafiltration, reverse osmosis, and ion exchange, before being transferred to a storage tank. The stored water was maintained at 80C and continuously circulated in a loop system to prevent microbial growth and eliminate issues associated with stagnant water.
Following the facility walkthrough, the guide addressed and clarified the students’ queries marking the conclusion of the industrial visit.
Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Gayathri Ramavarma, a student of the B.Pharm 2023 batch, stated: “The industrial visit opened our eyes to the actual procedures and workings of a manufacturing facility. We were able to observe processes that we had previously studied only in theory. The visit provided greater clarity on various operations and helped us gain valuable practical knowledge, thereby enhancing the quality of our education and preparing us to become better professionals in the future.”
The industrial visit was organized with the objective of providing students exposure to real-time pharmaceutical production facilities and processes that are otherwise studied theoretically. A total of 54 students participated in the visit, accompanied by Dr. Rahul Soman, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutics, along with Mrs. Devika S. Kumar and Ms. Lakshmi Upendran, Ph.D. scholars from the Department of Pharmaceutics.
Aavani 2025
Amrita School of Pharmacy celebrated Onam festival of the year, “Aavani-2025” with great enthusiasm and joy on 03rd September 2025. The celebrations began with the inaugural lamp lighting. Onam message was delivered by Dr. Sabitha M., Principal, Amrita School of Pharmacy, who extended her heartfelt wishes for a happy and prosperous Onam to all students, faculty, and staff. The cultural programs showcased the vibrant spirit of Onam, with students presenting Thiruvathira, Vanchippaattu, Group Songs and Group Dances. Both students and faculty members also actively participated in a variety of fun-filled Onam games, adding excitement and energy to the occasion. A sumptuous Onam sadhya was also served to students and faculty members. The celebrations concluded on a high note with a traditional percussion performance.
Visit to Amrita Institute for Differently Abled
On 26th August 2025, members of the Social Service Club of Amrita School of Pharmacy, along with 2nd Year Pharm.D and M.Pharm students, visited the Amrita Institute for Differently Abled. The day was filled with laughter, music, and joy as students and children engaged in interactive sessions—dancing, singing, and conducting fun games. Food was distributed, and the happiness on the children’s faces made the celebrations even more special. The visit became a meaningful learning experience reflecting the values of empathy and inclusiveness.
Orientation Program for Pharm.D 2020 Batch Interns
The Orientation Program for the Pharm.D 2020 Batch Interns of Amrita School of Pharmacy was conducted on 23rd and 25th July 2025 at the Nalanda 12th floor of Amrita Hospital Kochi. This event marked the official commencement of the internship phase for the newly inducted PharmD interns.
Ms. Meenu Vijayan, Assistant Professor at the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Internship Coordinator, welcomed the gathering. This was followed by address by Dr. Sabitha M., Principal, who emphasized the responsibilities of PharmD interns and highlighted the importance of commitment and dedication during clinical postings.
The first scientific session by Dr. Akhilesh K., Professor, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Amrita Hospital Kochi, provided an in-depth update on TB therapies, challenges in MDR-TB treatment, and patient compliance strategies. Ms. Marwa Abdul Khader and Ms. Anjana Menon, Pharm.D interns presented on the importance of the pharmacist’s role in the GICU. Dr. Lekshmipriya, Clinical Pharmacist, Respiratory Medicine, Amrita Hospital Kochi, shared valuable insights different respiratory conditions, which is essential for tailoring therapy and ensuring safe pharmacological care.
The afternoon session commenced with a presentation by Dr. Gayathri M. and Dr. Apeksha Singh, Clinical Pharmacists from the Infectious Diseases department at Amrita Hospital Kochi, focusing on antibiotic stewardship. The session highlighted the critical role of clinical pharmacists in promoting rational antibiotic use and implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs. Dr. Nivedita Pavithran, Professor & Head, Department of Clinical Nutrition, Amrita Hospital Kochi, delivered an inspiring and thought-provoking session focused on career motivation, self-discipline, and the core values of service and empathy in the healthcare profession.Dr. Ashiq Vijayan, Clinical Pharmacist, Stroke Medicine, Amrita Hospital Kochi, delivered an engaging session showcasing the vital role of clinical pharmacists in stroke management. Through case-based discussions, he highlighted the importance of individualized pharmacotherapy, careful medication selection, and timely dose adjustments in improving patient outcomes.
Day 2 began with an insightful session by Dr. Anup Menon, Assistant Professor, Department of General Medicine, Amrita Hospital Kochi, who delivered a comprehensive overview of Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) in critically ill patients.Mr. Ritwik Kalidas, Pharm.D Intern, delivered an insightful session recounting his clinical exposure and experiences in the Medical ICU. He shared real-time examples of pharmaceutical interventions, including dose modifications, monitoring therapy responses, and collaborating with the healthcare team to optimize patient care. Ms. Sowndarya, Pharm.D Intern, shared her enriching experience in the medical oncology department, highlighting various chemotherapeutic regimens. The session emphasized the importance of patient counseling, addressing adverse effects, and providing supportive care to improve treatment tolerance and quality of life.
The afternoon session on Day 2 was delivered by Dr. Megha Rajeev, Clinical Pharmacist from the Department of Paediatric Neurology, Amrita Hospital Kochi, titled, Management of Neurological Disorders in Pediatrics, She presented an engaging overview of pediatric-specific therapeutic strategies, focusing on the management of seizure disorders, neurodevelopmental conditions, and the critical role of medication safety in neurologic care. Following this, Ms. Bindu Varghese, Administrative Executive at Amrita School of Pharmacytook a session on General Internship Guidelines. With a clear and practical approach, she outlined the rules, protocols, and professional expectations to be followed during clinical rotations. The final session of the afternoon focused on the topic “Neonatal Dose Calculations,” delivered by Dr. Govind K. Pradeep and Dr. Mohammad Shafi P. A., Clinical Pharmacists from the Department of Neonatology, Amrita Hospital Kochi. This session emphasized the critical importance of precision in neonatal pharmacokinetics, showcasing how age, weight, and developmental factors significantly influence drug dosing in newborns. The two-day academic event served as a comprehensive platform for knowledge-sharing between clinicians, clinical pharmacists, and Pharm.D interns.
