Experts from Saudi Arabia, UAE highlight drug safety at meet

Tumakuru: Senior Principal Scientist of Himalaya Wellness Company, Bengaluru, Dr. K H Vishwanathan stated that continuous research remains necessary in the field of pharmaceutical science. He was speaking at the inauguration of the international conference titled “Emerging Transformations in Modern Pharmacy Profession, Global Perspective” held at Shridevi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Tumakuru on Tuesday.

The fundamental principle of the pharmacist’s profession, he said, is to supply the right medicine in the right quantity to the right patient at an affordable price. “Success in the profession demands hard work together with the cultivation of curiosity, collaboration and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda and herbal medicines are proving more effective in treating certain diseases and deserve further encouragement,” he stated.

Director of Shridevi Group of Institutions Raman M Hulinaikar observed that pharmacists should not remain confined to dispensing medicines alone. He stated that they are already taking a major part in research and innovation while significant changes unfold across the pharmaceutical sector.

Professor of the Department of Pharmacy at Shaqra University, Saudi Arabia, Dr. B S Thippeswamy stressed that understanding the disease gene network and linking it with appropriate protein targets holds extreme importance in drug research.

Associate Professor of the Department of Clinical Sciences at the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, Dr. Subish Palaian noted that pharmacovigilance science plays a major role in protecting patients from possible adverse effects of medicines and in ensuring drug safety. “Errors in medicine use and adverse drug reactions can raise the overall cost of treatment considerably; therefore adverse reactions must be identified and prevented at an early stage,” Dr. Subish said.

Present at the conference were Shridevi Group of Educational Institutions Director Dr. Nagaraj Suryadevara, Shridevi College of Pharmacy Director Dr. B Gopalakrishna, Shridevi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Principal Dr. Shivakumar and Conference Organising Secretary Dr. Ravinandan A P. Students and professors from 25 pharmacy colleges across the state took part.