Three-day pharmacy conference kicks off

A three-day “17th international pharmacy conference and exhibition” kicked off here on Thursday in which more than 2,000 professionals belonging to diverse fields of pharmacy and health participated.
The conference, which is being organised by the Pharmacist Association Islamabad & AJK in collaboration with Pakistan Pharmacy Association (PPA) would mainly focus on the ‘Pharmacy Profession and 21st Century’.
Secretary Ministry of National Regulation and Service Faridullah Khan was the chief guest at inaugural session of the vonference.
During his address, he said: “we should not forget the public health aspect while designing any health model.” He acknowledged the role of pharmacists in the country and assured that the government support for pharmacist would continue. “Pharmacists are the custodian of medicines, and government will continue its support to enhance the pharmacy industry in Pakistan” he concluded.
PPA General Secretary Sardar Shabbir said the PPA was the sole representative body of pharmacist registered under the Societies Act, and was acknowledged in the Pharmacy Act 1967. PPA Vice President Prof Dr Azhar Hussain emphasized on collaborative efforts in delivering professional endeavors so as to become agents of change in their domains. “It is the time to accept the proven health-care benefits of pharmacists’ clinical activities and to move forward to confidently promote these roles to patients, health care system and stakeholders” he said. Dr Azhar while highlighting the due role of pharmacists in selection, manufacturing and use of medicines, said that the health costs could be reduced by consulting with the pharmacists adding that they could play a vital role in era of increasing health costs. He went on saying that more effective collaboration between pharmacy educators and the profession was required to further improve practical education, developing new patient-centered practice models and increase professionalism. He also stressed upon the urgent need for international collaboration among key members and researchers.