National Pharmacy Week is being celebrated every year in the last week of November to create awareness among the general public about the role of pharmacist in public health. The Amrita School of Pharmacy actively observed the National Pharmacy Week during December 8–15, 2014 at the Health Sciences campus.

National Pharmacy Week Celebrations 2014 at Amrita School of Pharmacy commenced on December 08, 2014. This year’s theme wasResponsible Use of Medicines- Role of Pharmacist. The celebrations started with a silent walkathon from Gandhi Statue to High Court Junction, Ernakulam. Around 200 volunteers including students and faculty members participated.

As a part of the celebrations, patient counseling was conducted at Ernakulam General Hospital. The program was inaugurated by Dr. Haseena Muhammed, District Medical Officer, Ernakulam on December 09. Around 350 patients were counseled on proper use of medicines.

Home-to-home counseling was conducted from December 09-12. Five groups, each with one faculty member and 2 students on each day visited a total of around 100 homes in the nearby areas.  Informative leaflets prepared on topics such as safe use of medicines, selected disease conditions like hypertension, asthma, diabetes etc. were also distributed in both these counseling sessions.

Pharm D. students of 4th and 5th year enacted two street plays on “Rational Drugs Use and Tips for Healthy Living” at High Court Junction, Ernakulam on December 08 and at AIMS hospital on December 13. The wonderful performance by the students as well as the messages conveyed was highly appreciated by the public. A silent walkathon was also held from Amrita School of Pharmacy to Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) on December 13 followed by street plays at selected locations of AIMS.

The programs concluded on December 15.  Prof. M. K. Sanu, famous Malayalam writer and critic inaugurated the valedictory function. In his address Prof. Sanu explained the importance of dharma in the practice of healthcare profession. Sampoojya Swami Purnamritananda Puri, General Secretary, Mata Amritanandamayi Math blessed the occasion.  Swamiji in his benedictory address mentioned that love is the most important medicine for any kind of suffering and intuition generated out of this love is essential to fulfill the efforts of our knowledge and intelligence. The function was attended by Dr. Shantikumar Nair, Dean Research, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham; Dr. Arun S. Menon, Professor, Department of Endocrinology, AIMS; Mr. Mamman Abraham, Managing Partner, M. G. Medicals. 

The college magazine Amrita Darshanam 2014 and the first issue of the newsletter- Amrita Drug Intelligence were released during the function. Dr. Sabitha M., Principal, Amrita School of Pharmacy presented the report of a week-long events and activities of Pharmacy Week Celebrations.  The program concluded with the street play performances by Pharm D. students.

​December 16, 2014
​Health Sciences campus, Kochi