The need for vigilance against adulteration in drugs stressed

The need for maintaining vigilance against the possibility of adulteration in life saving drugs was stressed at a program organised to mark the World Pharmacist Day at the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital here on Wednesday.

Pharmacists should watch against such possibility as they are serving the humanity, Ms. Saswati Das, Vice-President of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA), who attended the program ‘Elixir-2024’ as chief guest, said.

Pharmacists should also strive to invent new medicines of quality which should be devoid of side-effects, Ms. Das said while addressing the event organised by the pharmacy department of IMS and SUM Hospital.

She also said pharmacists need to remain alert against pandemics like Covid-19 which could stalk the planet again.

Referring to the theme for this year’s World Pharmacists’ Day—‘Pharmacist: Meeting Global Health Needs’, Ms. Das said it pointed to the crucial role played by pharmacists for the good health of the global population. She also congratulated the pharmacists working in IMS and SUM Hospital for sincerely discharging their responsibility.

Dr. Jasmin Panda, Head of the department of Pharmacy, spoke about the importance of World Pharmacist Day.

Ms. Mamina Patnaik, Odisha’s Drugs Controller, who attended the program as the speaker, highlighted the role played by pharmacists during the Covid-19 pandemic. The society should recognize and lay greater importance on the work of pharmacists, she said.

Ms. Das gave away prizes to winners of different competitions organised earlier to mark the occasion.

The program was also addressed by Prof. (Dr.) Sanghamitra Mishra, Dean of IMS and SUM Hospital, Prof. (Dr.) Arakhita Swain, Dean of IMS and SUM Hospital-2 at Phulnakhara, Prof. (Dr.) Pusparaj Samantasinhar, Medical Superintendent of IMS and SUM Hospital and Prof. (Dr.) Rajesh Lenka, Medical Superintendent of IMS and SUM Hospital-2 at Phulnakhara.