The World Pharmacy Day was celebrated at the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, faculty of medicine of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) here, on Monday with an expert describing India as the world’s pharmacy.

“India is known as the world’s pharmacy as 50 per cent of the drugs manufactured in the country are exported,” Ms. Sunita Rani Patra, Registrar-cum- Secretary of the Odisha Pharmacy Council, said while addressing a program organised in the hospital to mark the day.

“The Indian pharma industry is well known across the world and the Indian drugs are affordable and effective, Ms. Patra said.

The program, which was attended by a large number of pharmacists employed in the hospital, was also graced by Ms. Saswati Das, Vice-President of SOA.

Ms. Patra said the unwell consumer had faith in two things—the prescription of the doctor and the medicine being dispensed by the pharmacist to get better. From the manufacturing of drugs to their dispensation, pharmacists were involved and were doing a great job, she said.

Ms. Das said pharmacists had been playing a crucial role in the healthcare eco-system and celebration of the World Pharmacist Day would definitely go a long way in bolstering their morale.

Prof. (Dr.) Sanghamitra Mishra, Dean of IMS and SUM Hospital, Prof. (Dr.) Pusparaj Samantasinhar, Medical Superintendent and Prof. (Dr.) Rajesh Lenka, Additional Medical Superintendent and Operation Head of the hospital also addressed the program. Dr. Jasmin Panda, Head of the Department of Pharmacy, conducted the proceedings.

Describing healthcare as team work, Prof. (Dr.) Mishra said the pharmacists were a vital link in the whole system responsible for educating both medical personnel and people about drugs. “The need for you is to enhance your knowledge so that you can educate others and prevent drug induced adverse events,” she said.

Prof. (Dr.) Samantasinhar also highlighted the importance of pharmacists in the healthcare system saying they had a great responsibility to handle.

Prof. (Dr.) Lenka described pharmacists as the bridge between medical professionals and patients who were responsible for accurately advising the user of medicines. “Pharmacists should be lifelong learners and keep track of developments in the industry,” he said.