38th National Workshop on Clinical Pharmacology (NWCP 2022) begins
The 38th National Workshop on Clinical Pharmacology (NWCP 2022) organized by the Department of Pharmacology, PGIMER, Chandigarh kickstarted today with delegates coming from all across the country. The workshop is one of the oldest workshops in the field of Clinical Pharmacology with its roots going back to nearly 40 years.
The day began with the Inauguration ceremony graced by Professor R K Sharma, Dean Academic, Professor K Gauba, Dean Research, Professor Rakesh Sehgal, Sub Dean Research and Academics, Professor Y K Gupta, President AIIMS Bhopal and Jammu, Professor P L Sharma, Emeritus Professor and the Organizing Chairperson, Prof. Samir Malhotra of the workshop welcomed the delegates and dignitaries. The chairperson gave the delegates a glimpse of what this workshop aims to accomplish in the weeklong scientific session.
Prof. RK Sharma and Prof. K Gauba followed the chairperson’s talk and congratulated the Department for organizing this workshop. Prof. Rakesh Sehgal then highlighted the importance of these academic feasts for sharing knowledge and sensitizing the younger generation for the opportunities and challenges in the field. Prof. Y K Gupta, President AIIMS Bhopal and Jammu and senior member National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), appreciated the content of workshop and mentioned changes in membership criteria, fellowship programs and other supports proposed by NAMS.
Prof. P. L. Sharma (Professor Emeritus and Organizing Chairperson of the workshop) gave a brief history of discipline of Clinical Pharmacology in India. Prof. P. L. Sharma, who is the founder of this workshop, commended the continued efforts of the department for carrying out the legacy of conducting the workshop and bringing it to new heights.
Prof. Lekha Saha, Organizing Secretary of the workshop, delivered the Vote of Thanks, thanking all present and all those involved in the conduct of the workshop. The dignitaries were presented with mementos by the Organizing committee members including – Prof. Nusrat Shafiq (Co-organizing chairperson), Dr. Smita Pattanaik and Dr. Ashish Kakkar (Joint Organizing secretaries) and Prof. Samir Malhotra (Organizing Chairperson).
Prof. Y K Gupta, President AIIMS Bhopal and Jammu and Senior member National Academy of Medical Sciences, elaborated on the key aspects of regulatory requirements for clinical trials, and enumerated some of the key elements of the new drug clinical trial rules, 2019 to the budding pharmacologists.
Prof. Nilima Kshirsagar, ICMR, shared her perspective on the Evolution and Progress of Clinical Pharmacology in India. She highlighted various initiatives being undertaken by ICMR, India to promote rational use of medications and developing network of advanced centres for discovering and developing novel drugs at academic institutions in India.
Prof. Nusrat Shafiq, in her talk on the role of Clinical Pharmacologists in the real world, demonstrated the various ways in which a Clinical Pharmacologist can contribute to real world clinical scenario. She further discussed simple ways in which a Clinical Pharmacologist can participate and contribute to their respective institutes and bring about significant change in the patient outcomes.
Various speakers from the Industry also shared their experience and knowledge with the congregation. Dr. Shoibal Mukherjee (Senior Consultant in Pharmaceutical Medicine), who has more than 30 years of experience in the industry, shed light on the Good Clinical Practices that need to be followed while conducting Clinical research. Dr. Monika Tandon (Glenmark) shared her expertise in Translational Pharmacology in Pandemic highlighting various challenges faced and their solutions during their conduct.
The day ended with a hands-on session on clinical protocol writing, where the delegates were given the task of designing a research protocol on a given theme, which would be continued even on the next day of the workshop.
