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The Global Women Breakfast (GWB) 2026, held on February 10 in online mode by the University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research (UIPSR) and Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) in Faridkot, Haryana served as a powerful testament to the evolving landscape of pharmaceutical sciences.
In collaboration with the APTI Women Forum, the event embraced the theme ‘Many Voices, One Science’, an international initiative spearheaded globally by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC).
This platform was specifically tailored to address the unique challenges and opportunities within the pharmacy profession, bringing together a diverse cohort of researchers and industry leaders from across India and the globe. The event took on added local significance following the recent administrative shift in Punjab, where BFUHS was designated as the controlling authority for all pharmacy and healthcare courses.
During his address, chief guest Dr. Rajeev Sood, vice-chancellor of BFUHS, emphasized that bringing pharmacy education under a singular health-focused umbrella is essential for better governance. He highlighted that women are not just participants but the backbone of modern healthcare education and policy-making, urging for a more inclusive academic ecosystem that nurtures female leadership.
Technical sessions provided a deep dive into the practicalities of a rapidly changing industry, with a strong focus on ‘Translational Research’. This is particularly relevant as India shifts its focus toward the ‘Biopharma Shakti’ initiative, aiming to transition from a volume-based producer to a value-based innovation hub. Experts like Dr. Wei Hsum Yap from Malaysia provided a global perspective on how translational science can turn laboratory discoveries into life-saving medications, a core objective for the next generation of pharmacists.
The industry-academia bridge was a recurring theme, with leaders from Sun Pharmaceutical and Kenvue (J&J) sharing insights into global quality practices. Dr. Manisha Yadav’s discussion on quality leadership in Sweden underscored the high standards Indian pharmacy graduates must meet to compete globally. As the industry moves toward AI-driven pharmacovigilance and digital quality systems, the consensus was clear that technical proficiency must be paired with leadership resilience to navigate multinational pharmaceutical environments.
Leadership within professional bodies was also a focal point, as representatives from the Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India (APTI) discussed capacity building. Dr. Vandana Patravale and Dr. Milind Umekar emphasized that organizations like the APTI Women Forum are crucial for mentoring young pharmacists. By fostering a network that transcends geographical boundaries, these bodies help ensure that female educators and researchers have the institutional support needed to reach top-tier administrative and research roles.
Education-to-employment transitions were highlighted as a critical area for improvement. The sessions underscored that as pharmacy curricula adapt to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, there is a growing need for mentorship-led learning. Dr. Harvinder Popli deliberated on these emerging trends, noting that the future of pharmacy lies in interdisciplinary research where chemistry, biology, and digital technology converge to create personalized medicine and advanced drug delivery systems.
The programme concluded with a resounding message of unity and collective progress. By successfully hosting the GWB for the third consecutive year, UIPSR and BFUHS have established a tradition of advocacy for women in science. The event effectively reinforced that while there are ‘Many Voices’ across academia and the global drug industry, they all contribute to ‘One Science’, a unified effort to improve global health outcomes through pharmaceutical excellence.
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