Amrita School of Pharmacy commemorated World Pharmacist Day Celebrations 2024 with grace and vigour, embracing the theme, “Pharmacist: Meeting Global Health Needs.”
The festivities began with a blood donation drive on the 11th, 23rd, and 24th of September 2024, organized by the students of the B.Pharm 2021 batch. A total of 119 participants from the college, including staff and PhD scholars, registered for blood donation via a Google Form. Those who registered were scheduled into different slots over the three days. Of the total, 63 individuals successfully donated blood, while 56 were deferred due to low haemoglobin levels or other medical conditions.
The main celebration took place on 25th September 2024. Organized by the 5th-year Pharm.D students under the guidance of Dr. Sreeja C. Nair (Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmaceutics) and Dr. Lakshmi P.K., (Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacognosy) the event was held in the 5th-floor auditorium from 1:20 PM to 5:00 PM.
The event featured two main competitions: a poster-making contest and debate.
Preparations for the debate competition began at 12:00 PM with the drawing of lots to assigning the teams. The debate’s central topic was, “The Risk of Artificial Intelligence: A Boon for Society?” with students from B.Pharm (2021-2024), Pharm.D (2020-2024), and M.Pharm (2024) forming two teams based on the draw.
Simultaneously, the poster-making competition started at 1:30 PM in the college library. Participants, two from each batch, were assigned chest numbers and briefed on the guidelines before beginning their work. The posters were created in alignment with the global health theme of the event. The students displayed enthusiasm and creativity, resulting in a lively and competitive atmosphere.
By 2:30 PM, the final lots for the debate were drawn, with Group A speaking against the motion and Group B supporting it. The debate officially began at 3:00 PM, introduced by Ms. Veneza Maria Martin (Pharm.D 2020 batch). This was followed by the inaugural address by Principal, Dr. Sabitha M. The debate was moderated by Ms. Keerthi (M.Pharm 2023 batch) and kicked off at 3:20 PM with the introduction of the judging panel: Dr. Aneesh T.P. (Associate Professor and Head, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry), Dr. Jaya Thomas (Associate Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacology) and Dr. Prashant Chandra (Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice).
The competition unfolded over three dynamic rounds—Foundation of Arguments, Battle of Perspectives, and Final Words—with engaging discussions on the societal impacts of artificial intelligence. The session captivated both the participants and the audience, concluding at 4:35 PM. Following the judges’ deliberation, Group A, arguing against the motion, was declared the winner, with Mr. Madhav Shankar (B,Pharm 2024 batch), winning the title of Best Debater.
The event ended with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Krishnagadha Sunil (Pharm.D 2020 batch), followed by the national anthem.
As part of the extended celebrations, an invited talk was held by Dr. P.K. Sreekumar, Retd. Deputy Drug Controller, Kerala, on the topic “Insight into the Drug Regulatory Framework and Functions of Government Regulatory Agencies.” The talk was organized by Pharm.D 2020 batch students and began at 3:00 PM, with Ms. Malavika Jayapal (Pharm.D 2020 batch) delivering the welcome address. Dr. Sreekumar’s informative and engaging session offered a deep dive into the regulatory aspects of drugs in India and globally. It was an exhilarating and thought provoking session that nudged the curiosity of both the teachers and students.
The session culminated in the much-anticipated prize distribution ceremony at 3:50 PM, where all participants of the poster-making and debate competitions were recognized for their efforts and contributions. The event concluded by 4 PM with a vote of thanks by Ms. Devika Suresh Nair (Pharm.D 2020 batch) and national anthem. The event was a resounding success, a testament to the dedication of pharmacists who work tirelessly to improve patient care each day.
