Thursday, December 31, 2015

Gr8 motivational moments @ 67th IPC, Mysuru

The largest and most prestigious gathering of pharmacists in India is the annual event: Indian Pharmaceutical Congress.  The 67th edition in 2015 was held at Mysuru (19.12.15 to 21.12.15), event being hosted by JSS University, Mysuru of which JSSCP (JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysuru) is a part.

67th IPC, Mysuru had a special personal appeal for various reasons: (1) it was being held in my home state - Karnataka (2) Mysuru is my birthplace (spent many years here and at Bangalore) (3) JSSCP, Mysuru is my B Pharm alma mater.

Hence, it was logical that we participate, and my employer company sponsored a team to participate in 67th IPC, Mysuru (besides being generous in general sponsorship).  My participation included a scientific submission for poster presentation, which was then upgraded to oral presentation, for which I was pleasantly surprised to get BEST ORAL PRESENTATION AWARD BASED ON MERIT.  Hence, it was a double joy - not only was I on cloud 9 being in JSSCP, Mysuru (my B Pharm alma mater), and I was also at my home-town Mysuru: further, I also won a very special award (best oral presentation certificate based on merit)...

The talk was on study of factors affecting patient compliance and marketing results as per pharmacists of Bangalore.  Some interesting insights were obtained in this study (through structured questionnaire containing a Likert scale type question, close ended questions and some open ended question).  Right affordable pricing and retail bonus offers will help improve patient compliance and marketing results.  Upto 40% more sales results on an average can be obtained.  Reduction of side effects, improving convenience and better organoleptic qualities of the promoted product, along with counseling by pharmacist, among other factors, will strengthen patient compliance behaviour and marketing results.

Posing with Mr. Rajesh N Jagdale, MD, JIPL (22.12.15), award in hand!


Dr. B Suresh M Pharm Phd
 Vice - Chancellor of JSS University, Mysuru; President, Pharmacy Council of India & Chairman, Local Organizing Committee, 67th IPC, Mysuru

Dr. B Suresh who straddles the pharmaceutical firmament like a colossus, is a consummate doyen of our profession - he was the moving force behind the success of 67th IPC, Mysuru.  

Man of the moment - cynosure of 67th IPC, Mysore: Dr. B Suresh

The entire 67th IPC organizing team inspired by Dr. Suresh - included the faculty of JSSCP, Mysuru/Ooty and volunteer students of JSSCP, Mysuru/Ooty - they gave their supreme proactive best to make the iconic international pharmaceutical event a most memorable one.


Dr. V K Subburaj, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers is a thorough intellectual who knows the pharmaceutical industry like the back of his hand.  His lectures were not only knowledgeable, the positive tone of his presentations was very inspiring, with most attendee delegates wanting to listen more and more...
The most pleasant amazing piece-de-resistance speech during the inauguration ceremony was from Mr. Ananth Kumar, Central Govt. Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers, under whom pharmaceutical sector comes.  Not only did he emphasize the need for affordability, accessibility and availability of pharmaceuticals, he represented the need to go ahead with innovation (ie., go beyond generics and biosimilars); he also made the announcement that a separate Ministry of Pharmaceuticals will be set up in 2016 by Union Govt., thus giving a major emphasis to Indian pharmaceutical sector.


Mr. S V Veeramani, Chairman and MD, Fourrts, Chennai was most active, humble, engaging and he gave illuminating lectures on challenges facing pharmaceutical industry.  A most approachable and affable personality, his commitment to Indian pharmaceutical sector is awesome.

Selfie with affable and dedicated pharma professional: Mr. S V Veeramani, MD, Fourrts

The panorama of dignitaries and VIPs... some of them being Dr. G N Singh, DCGI, Dr. E Reddy, Joint Drugs Controller of India, CDSCO...Dr. Rao Vadlamudi, of IPA etc.,  and many many others gave inspiring speeches to educate, empower and motivate delegates.

The next decade will see the pharmaceutical firmament: Rs. 2 lakh crores annual sales turnover of Indian pharmaceutical industry (domestic + export); the pharmaceutical educational field with its 1500 pharmacy colleges; 7 lakh pharmacies across India; 262 USFDA approved manufacturing plants; 1400 WHO GMP approved manufacturing facilities; 253 EDQM (European) standard manufacturing facilities; 20,000 ultra modern manufacturing and packaging facilities..getting a humongous growth pill.  Vive-la: Indian Pharmaceutical sector and its stellar leaders!!


Dr. T K Ravi, Principal of Sri Ramakrishna College of Pharmacy, Coimbatore is a most dedicated persona, unflappable and ever cheerful: he has managed the scientific activities of IPCs for past few years with aplomb...in fact, his is the critical core activity which provides the raison d'ĂȘtre of IPCs...his majestic presence lent cheer to the 67th IPC, Mysuru.

Selfie with Dr. B R Shetty, MD, NMC Group, Abu Dhabi

Dr. B R Shetty, MD, NMC Group, Abu Dhabi, was the super surprise pharmacist present... this billionaire pharmacist lent glamour and fillip to the 67th IPC, Mysore.  His inspiring speech during the valedictory function was amazingly well received with good applause from the crowd.  I also had the good fortune to get my award from this amazing down-to-earth achiever, who owns two full floors at Burj Khalifa!

Awesome Dr. Samba Reddy: he posed for me when I took this snap with my mobile, Thanks Dr. Samba Reddyji!
He came, he saw, he spoke, he conquered our hearts and... vanished (because he was in a tearing hurry)!  Dr. Samba Reddy (read about him here) is on the verge of producing a first-in-class antiepileptic... his 20 minute talk on new drug development was superb... sprinkled with vital statistics and the narration was very user-friendly.  He is an amazing pharmacist, who won 6 gold medals during his B Pharm final year... truly Dr. Samba Reddy was the toast of 67th IPC, Mysuru, I hope he will win the Nobel prize one day!

During the oral presentation!

Receiving the certificate from evaluators for the presentation

Receiving the award for oral presentation on stage: golden memories of a pharmacist!

Receiving the award from Mr. U T Khader, the health minister of Karnataka; DCGI, India others... ( and Dr. B R Shetty is also seen partly)

One of my most pleasant memory is of presenting my talk, receiving the certificate and then receiving the best oral presentation award on stage... it is a memorable moment for the pharmacist in me!  Thanks to the best wishes and blessings of all: my elders, teachers, employers, colleagues, family, friends etc.


Dr. H G Shivakumar M Pharm Ph D, Former Principal, JSSCP, Mysuru, is one of the most popular teachers of JSSCP, Mysuru: known for his combination of gentlemanliness and strictness, he got a resounding ovation from the crowd when he went in for his memento (on stage)...


The present Principal of JSSCP, Mysuru is the much accomplished dapper Dr. Parthasarathi, he is a big name in clinical pharmacy, posing with him presents an elegant picture.  (in the background is registrar medical doctor, Dr. Manjunath: a tall handsome good humoured and able administrator of JSS University).

Dynamic Dr. Raghunandan Ph D

Dr. Raghunandan Ph D, a warm hearted, intelligent and dynamic person serves as Deputy Director of JSS University, Mysuru, taking care of industry-JSS University projects etc...
Dr. Kulkarni, Vice Principal of JSSCP, Mysuru (my B Pharm teacher too), is an ever-smiling gentleman


Selfie with Dr. Burande and Dr. K M Bhat (DR. KMB)

Dr. Burande (centre in above foto) of Pune is a doyen academician who conducts lots of courses to bridge academia and industry.  The other person in above foto, is my very good pal from my B Pharm years, my classmate and present Prof. and HOD of Quality Assurance, COPS, Manipal: Dr. K M Bhat.  Today, Dr. KMB has grown amazingly in stature, research and teaching activity, with wide ranging contacts in academia and industry.  He was kind enough to attend my talk.  His sincerity is amazing...I was witness to it when he was evaluating the large number of scientific posters.
Dr. B G Nagavi, Dean of Pharmacy college, RAK, UAE
Dr. B G Nagavi an illustrious pharma persona academician poses with my classmates who are now achievers in their own right.. Dr. Anupama (blue saree) is a Principal and noted academician, (Dr.) Leena, eversmiling and equipoised, has several academic achievements to her credit, she too is a HOD.  Dr. Nagavi is a noted teacher worldwide, former Principal of JSSCP, Mysuru... he was our teacher too.

Smart line-up: our past teachers (near me) and our seniors Dr. Gowda and Dr. Koteshwara (Koti) (next to Dr. Anupama: who is an illutrious JSSCPIAN achiever), Prof. Dr. Koti is HOD of Pharmaceutics at COPS, Manipal (another truly celebrated pharmacy institution), Dr. KMB too works there

Standing with Mr. Shaji (who is with the Drug Dept., Kerala) my JSSCP college mate: is always a person who spreads cheer
With Dr. S Bhat, Registrar, JSS University, Mysuru: he is a true friend and well-wisher (my college mate at JSSCP, Mysuru)

Respected Sri Sri Sri Deshikendra Swamiji Pontiff of Suttur Math and divine force behind JSS University, Mysuru
With time goodwill gets strengthened ... nostalgia swamps us... life goes on...the divine joy of 67th IPC Mysuru will remain ... till the final call comes...there are many more fotos & insights of this IPC and memories... may be some other time...Happy New Year 2016 dear readers of this blog... have a great life... you can continue to read all other posts in this blog too by scrolling down and clicking on older posts as and when required, thanks!