National Pharmacovigilance Week-2023
National Pharmacovigilance Week-2024 at Government Medical College, Ongole
The Department of Pharmacology at Government Medical College, Ongole, in collaboration with the Pharmacovigilance Program of India (PvPI), under the Government of India, organized a series of activities to mark National Pharmacovigilance Week from 17th to 23rd September 2023. The theme for this year’s observance was “Boosting Public Confidence in Pharmacovigilance.”
The week-long program included various activities aimed at enhancing awareness and confidence in pharmacovigilance among students, healthcare professionals, and the general public. The activities commenced on Tuesday, 19th September 2023, with a Poster Competition from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, coordinated by Dr. T. Venkata NareshAssistant Professor,Department of Pharmacology. The competition was judged by Dr. Elizabeth, Professor & Head of Departmentof Pediatrics& Dr.Kalyani Professor & Head of Department of General Medicine , prizes were distributed to the winners, fostering a spirit of academic and creative excellence among participants.
Later in the day, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, an Elocution Competition was held, coordinated by Dr. SupriyaS,Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology. The elocution competition was judged by Dr.K.Solomon Raju, Professor, Department of Pharmacology Government Medical CollegeGuntur& Dr. Uma Maheshwari Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacology atGovernment Medical College Rajahmundry. Students spoke eloquently on various aspects of pharmacovigilance, impressing the judges with their insights and knowledge. Prizes were awarded to the most outstanding speakers, further encouraging a deep understanding and engagement with the subject.
On Wednesday, 20th September 2023, a Walkathon was held from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, coordinated by Dr. Krishnakanth K, Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology. The walkathon was inaugurated by Dr. Ch.Sudhakar Babu, former Principal of the Government Medical College, Ongole and Dr. Bhagwan Naik, former Superintendent of Government Medical College &Government General Hospital, Ongole. Dr. Ch.Sudhakar Babu emphasized the importance of patient awareness and vigilance about the medicines being administered or recommended by doctors, and the walk was organized to raise awareness among patients and their assistants. Dr.K.Chandrakala, Professor and Head of the Department of PharmacologyGovernment Medical College, Ongole presided over the program. Following the walkathon, patients at Government General Hospital, Ongole were educated about pharmacovigilance. Vice Principal Dr. Narayana Rao and Dr. Elizabeth also participated in the event.
On Thursday, 21st September 2023, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, there was a Sensitization Program for Patients, coordinated by Dr. Thulasi Gokul Assistant Professor Department of Pharmacology. On Friday, 22nd September 2023, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, a Sensitization Program for Faculty and Postgraduates was held, coordinated by Dr. K. Chandrakala, Professor and Head of the Department of Pharmacology. The week’s activities concluded on Saturday, 23rd September 2023, with a Sensitization Program for Nursing Staff from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM, coordinated by Dr. Ch. Jhansi Vani, Associate Professor in the Department of PharmacologyGovernment Medical College, Ongole.
In a related event on 22nd September 2023, Dr.K.Chandrakala, Head of the Pharmacology Department at Government Medical College Ongole, addressed a conference at QIS Pharmacy College, Ongole. As the chief guest, she highlighted the importance of awareness regarding the side effects of medicines. She congratulated the management and faculty of QIS Pharmacy College for organizing awareness rallies and patient counseling sessions as part of the National Pharmacovigilance Week. She emphasized the crucial role of pharmacists in educating the public about drug benefits and side effects, noting the significant job opportunities in pharmacovigilance for pharmacy students. Dr. Nida Manuri Suryakalyan Chakraborty, Chairman of QIS Educational Institutions, and Dr. Gayathridevilu, Executive Vice Chairman, expressed their commitment to increasing public awareness through partnerships with IPGA. Dr. D. Dakshina Murthy, Principal of QIS Pharmacy College, announced that national pharmacovigilance programs would continue at the college until the 23rd of the month.
National Pharmacovigilance Week at Government Medical College, Ongole, was an engaging and informative event, contributing significantly to the achieving the goal of boosting public confidence in pharmacovigilance. Through various competitions, sensitization programs, and community activities, the event fostered a culture of safety and awareness regarding the use of medicines.
