The Tamil Nadu State and Coimbatore branches of the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), along with the Tamil Nadu Pharmaceutical Sciences Welfare Trust, are set to commemorate a landmark event in the state's pharmaceutical calendar with the inauguration of the 64th National Pharmacy Week (NPW), coupled with the revered Dr T K Ravi Memorial Lecture.
The significant gathering, scheduled for Friday, November 14, at the Smt Velumaniammal Hall in the Sri Ramakrishna Hospital Campus in Coimbatore, will kick off the week-long celebrations under the timely and critical theme, "Pharmacists as Advocates of Vaccination."
J Jayaseelan, the president of the IPA Tamil Nadu state branch, is scheduled to deliver the formal Welcome Address, setting the tone for the professional and commemorative event.
The event is a joint collaboration between the IPA's state and local branches and the Tamil Nadu Pharmaceutical Sciences Welfare Trust, a non-profit organisation committed to the welfare of the pharmaceutical community. The comprehensive program encompasses three major components, the official inauguration of the 64th National Pharmacy Week, an Award Function to honour distinguished professionals, and the prestigious Dr T K Ravi Memorial Lecture. This confluence of activities is designed to foster professional dialogue and set the agenda for the future of the pharmacy profession.
The National Pharmacy Week is officially observed from November 16th to 22nd every year, and the 64th edition’s theme is strategically focused on the expanding role of pharmacists in community health, ‘Pharmacists as Advocates of Vaccination’. This theme is vital in acknowledging the pivotal role pharmacists play in strengthening public health, promoting community trust, and safeguarding future generations against preventable diseases. The IPA aims to highlight how pharmacists, as the most accessible healthcare professionals, can actively support vaccination campaigns and public awareness efforts.
The ceremony will be graced by Dr B Suresh, Pro-Chancellor of the JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research in Mysore, who will preside as the Chief Guest. Dr B Suresh, the former long-time President of the Pharmacy Council of India and a respected academician who shared a close professional bond with the late Dr T K Ravi, will deliver the prestigious memorial lecture and is expected to offer an inspiring address on the professional responsibilities of pharmacists in the modern healthcare ecosystem. His presence underscores the importance of integrating academic excellence and cutting-edge research into everyday pharmacy practice.
A centrepiece of the evening is the Dr T K Ravi Memorial Lecture, organized in privileged honour of the late Dr T K Ravi. Dr Ravi was a lauded stalwart of the pharmacy profession, known for his distinguished academic career and role as an eminent research scholar. He left an enduring legacy through his significant contributions to the growth and advancement of pharmaceutical sciences, including authoring and publishing over 150 research articles and theses in internationally reputed journals.
The event’s governing panel also features prominent industry and philanthropic leaders. The ceremony will be presided over by Sundar Ramakrishnan, the managing trustee of the SNR Sons Charitable Trust, Coimbatore. Further adding to the prestige, Dr S V Veerramani, chairman of the Tamil Nadu Pharmaceutical Sciences Welfare Trust and CMD of Fourrts India Laboratories Pvt. Ltd in Chennai, will attend as the guest of honour. The concurrently held Award Function will acknowledge individuals and institutions whose dedication and contributions have significantly advanced the pharmacy profession and pharmaceutical sciences in the region.
Ultimately, the joint celebration serves as a powerful platform to reaffirm the collective commitment of the pharmaceutical community in Tamil Nadu to excellence, ethical standards, and public service. By inaugurating the National Pharmacy Week with a crucial focus on vaccination advocacy and honouring a visionary like Dr T K Ravi, the IPA and its partners are setting a strong, forward-looking agenda for the year ahead. The event promises to be a motivating confluence of memory, recognition, and professional dialogue, essential for elevating the pharmacist's indispensable role within the nation’s healthcare framework. |