CHANDIGARH: The 40th Annual National Workshop on Clinical Pharmacology (NWCP 2024) at PGIMER Chandigarh has emerged as a landmark event, bringing together bright young minds from all corners of the nation. With over 100 participants from diverse regions of the country (Agartala-PortBlair-Coimbatore-Rajkot-Jammu), the workshop embodies a united quest for personalised patient care and drug safety.
This workshop is being held under the leadership of Prof. Samir Malhotra, Head of the Department of Pharmacology PGIMER, Chandigarh and Prof. Smita Pattanaik as the Organizing secretary. PGIMER is hosting the 40th National Workshop on Clinical Pharmacology, carrying on the legacy of the late Prof Ranjit Raychaudhuri and the current Professor Emeritus, Prof. PL Sharma, which started in the late 1970s.
This year, the unique workshop is being attended by nearly 30 renowned clinical pharmacology faculty and clinicians from academia and experts from the Pharma industry, each sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience to create an enriching learning environment for attendees and prepare them to become future clinical pharmacologists. The workshop, known for its high standards of excellence, breadth as well as depth, offers participants a rare opportunity to gain insights from leaders who have shaped the field of clinical pharmacology over the decades.
This year’s workshop is centred on empowering healthcare professionals with cutting-edge techniques to ensure the safe and effective use of medications for the betterment of patients. The program is meticulously designed to integrate theory with practical applications through engaging hands-on sessions, case-based exercises, and interactive group discussions.
Prof. Y K Gupta, President of AIIMS Jammu, honoured his presence as a chief guest on the inaugural day of the workshop. “This workshop is not just an academic endeavour; it is a mission to elevate patient care and safety standards across the country,” said Prof. Y K Gupta. He added, “By fostering collaboration between academia and the pharmaceutical industry, we are ensuring that our healthcare professionals are well-equipped to address complex therapeutic challenges and make informed treatment-related decisions.”
This six-day event has also placed a strong emphasis on drug safety and ethical clinical practices, further underscoring its commitment to public health. Each day of the workshop is based on themes centred around Clinical trials, statistical methods in clinical research, pharmacometric data modelling, therapeutic Drug Management and regulatory perspectives on clinical trials.
The distinguished faculty will provide deep insights into the conduct of clinical trials to develop good quality medicines, drug level monitoring to optimize dosing, as well as strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance—an issue considered one of the greatest public health threats of our time.
NWCP 2024 is more than just a workshop—it is a celebration of clinical pharmacology’s pivotal role in improving patient care. It serves as a platform for young clinicians and budding clinical pharmacologists to interact, exchange ideas, and collectively strive toward innovations that will redefine patient safety standards in India.
This year’s workshop also took a leaped towards environmental consciousness and reducing carbon footprints by eliminating the use of plastic water bottles, showcasing its commitment to sustainability alongside its dedication to healthcare improvement. Additionally, in a historic first, the workshop will host a National-Level Clinical Pharmacology Quiz on the final day—an exciting initiative introduced for the first time in 40 years—offering participants a chance to test their knowledge and engage in friendly competition. For the first time, the workshop offered two pre-workshop Primer courses to the participants to sensitize them to the agenda of the workshop and prepare them better and get the best from the academic extravaganza offered by the Department of Pharmacology, PGIMER Chandigarh.