World Pharmacist Day celebrated at IMS and SUM Hospital

Bhubaneswar, Sept 25: The Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital observed World Pharmacist Day on Thursday, highlighting the indispensable role of pharmacists in strengthening the healthcare system.

Speaking at the event ‘Elixir’, organised by the Department of Pharmacy, Saswati Das, Vice-President of Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA), said pharmacists play a critical role in patient care by determining the right proportion of medicines essential for recovery and wellness. She lauded their dedication and congratulated the hospital’s pharmacists for over two decades of committed service.

This year’s theme, “Think Health, Think Pharmacist”, underscored the vital contribution of the profession to public health.

Addressing the gathering, Mamina Patnaik, Drug Controller of Odisha, stressed the importance of pharmacists and urged youth to stay away from narcotics, warning against their harmful impact.

The programme was presided over by Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda, Vice-Chancellor of SOA, and also featured addresses by Prof. (Dr.) Sanghamitra Mishra, Dean of IMS and SUM Hospital; Prof. (Dr.) Pusparaj Samantasinghar, Medical Superintendent; and Prof. (Dr.) Rajesh Kumar Lenka, Medical Superintendent of IMS and SUM Hospital-2, Phulnakhara.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Jasmin Panda, Head of the Department of Pharmacy.