National Pharmacy Week 2019 was observed during the third week of November from 17th to 23rd. Every year, Amrita School of Pharmacy takes initiatives in organizing various events as part of National Pharmacy Week (NPW) celebrations. The theme for the 2019 year was ‘Pharmacist: Your Medication Counsellor’. In connection to the celebrations, Pharm. D. third-year and fifth-year students had actively involved in dispensing and patient counseling sessions in a medical camp at Kodakkara, Thrissur, organized by the medical team of Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), Kochi, on November 16, where they educated patients about their disease conditions and regarding the proper use of drugs. Almost 300 patients received the services provided during medical camp which was made possible by the hard-working nature of the students and all those who were involved in the team. Moreover giving emphasis to this year’s theme, Pharm. D. interns and M. Pharm. (Pharmacy Practice) second-year students along with the faculty members of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmacology departments extensively conducted home to home patient counseling in areas of Varapuzha and Manjummel from November 19-22, where a total of 130 house visits were covered. The majority of the people had chronic disorders like HTN, Type 2 DM, etc. Owing to the financial burden, the patients did not receive proper treatment and healthcare and were often served by Panchayath health services. Most of them were not well aware of the importance of taking medicines and thus reduced compliance was observed. However the team from the school overcame this problem by giving them appropriate information about their disease condition, drugs prescribed, the importance of compliance, lifestyle modifications required, frequent health care checkups and ascertaining patients understanding regarding all these matters. The patient community was cooperative and grateful for the information provided by the counseling team.
An Antibiotic Awareness program was initiated by medical administration and clinical pharmacists of the Antibiotic Stewardship team of AIMS during the third week of November. Pharm.D. interns participated in the continuing education sessions and quiz programs. Pharm. D. third-year students became a part of the antibiotic awareness program through a street play on “Proper Use of Antibiotics” performed at the Annex ‘B’ block and the main entrance of AIMS premise which was well received and appreciated by the clinicians and patients.
The closing ceremony of National Pharmacy Week 2019 was organized by the co-curricular committee and Department of Pharmacy Practice on November 25, 2019, at the Seminar hall, Fourth floor, Amrita School of Pharmacy. Dr. S. Sriram (Professor and Head, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Sri Ramakrishna Institute of Paramedical Sciences, Coimbatore) who is one among the pioneer in developing pharmacy practice education in India and alumni Dr. Somy Cherian (Clinical Pharmacist, CARE Hospital, Kochi) were the guest of honors of the day. The unveiling of college magazine Amrita Darshanam 2019 named ‘Samved’ was done by Dr. S. Sriram and Dr. Sabitha M. (Principal, Amrita School of Pharmacy). Ms. Anila K. N., Lecturer, Department of Pharmacy Practice, briefed about the events of NPW 2019 and the activities taken up by the institution during the course. Dr. S. Sriram had taken a session on “Professionalism in Health care- Challenges of Pharmacist”. Dr. Somy Cherian delivered a session on “Patient Counselling- An Inevitable Part of Patient Care: Experiences from Rheumatology Setup”. The third-year Pharm. D. students performed a skit on “Proper Use of Antibiotics”. The speakers were felicitated and certificates were distributed to the skit performers by Dr. Sabitha M. Finally, the events concluded with National Anthem.
