Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Dec 18: State higher education minister, Dr V S Acharya, said that the state government is considering a proposal to establish Karnataka Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (KIPER) on the model of four IPERs that are operational elsewhere in the country.
He was speaking after inaugurating the three-day 62nd ‘Indian Pharmaceutical Congress – 2010’ being held at KMC Greens in Manipal, on Friday December 17. He said that funds would be allocated in the coming budget for KIPER, planned to be made functional in 2011-12.
“Every year, 68,000 graduates come out of 1,000 pharmacy colleges in the country. Pharmaceutical experts need to give medicinal suggestions to the doctors as well as patients. The syllabi of pharmacy diploma, degree, and post-graduate studies need to be revised from time to time. All the 48 pharmacy, 98 diploma, and 20 post-graduate colleges in the state need to be upgraded to ensure better quality. However, there is a dearth of experts and high quality professors in the field of pharmacy. We will consider celebration of Pharmacist Day apart from giving awards to achievers in this field,” he promised.
President of Pharmacy Council of India, New Delhi, Dr B Suresh, said that a sum of Rs 100 crore is planned to be spent towards upgradation of pharmacy colleges through the 11th finance plan. He revealed that the international conference of International Pharmaceutical Federation will be held in Hyderabad during September 2011, after a gap of 19 years.
Padma Shri B R Shetty, entrepreneur from Abu Dhabi, addressed the participants. Indian Pharmaceutical Congress Association (IPCA) president, S L Nasa, presided. Chancellor of Manipal University, Dr Ramadas M Pai, president of Indian Pharmaceutical Association, Gopalakrishna Murty, Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India president, Prof P G Yole, Indian Pharmacy Graduates Association president, Atul K Nasa, president of All India Drug Control officers Confederation, Ravi Kant, convener of the conference, Prof N Udupa, and organizing secretary, Prof C Mallikarjun Rao, were present.
Release of souvenir, handing over of awards, and other programmes were conducted during the day.
Honorary general secretary of IPCA, A Krishnadev, presented annual report. Pro chancellor of Manipal University, Dr H S Ballal, welcomed.