Amity Institute of Pharmacy (AIP), Amity University Noida Campus, hosted a state-level celebration of World Pharmacist Day and National Pharmacy Week – 2026”, organized by Pharmacy Council of India, New Delhi, Western Uttar Pradesh & Delhi State Pharmacy Institutes, on the theme “Swasth Bharat: Combating Antimicrobial Resistance”.
The event brought together approximately 1,500 participants from more than 100 colleges such as IIMT Greater Noida, IFTM Moradabad, Rameesh Greater Noida, and many others. The participants included pharmacy students, faculty members, pharmacists, healthcare professionals, researchers and representatives of the pharmaceutical industry, to recognise the vital role of pharmacists in advancing healthcare and improving patient outcomes. The programme commenced with an awareness rally on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), followed by the formal inauguration of the event.
Addressing the participants during the Inaugural Session, Dr. Montu Kumar Patel, President, Pharmacy Council of India, New Delhi, said, “Pharmacists are integral to the healthcare ecosystem and play a pivotal role in ensuring the safe, effective and rational use of medicines. Pharmacy Council of India is committed to the professional advancement and welfare of pharmacists, while continuously striving to enhance the recognition, credibility and stature of pharmacy as a respected healthcare profession. It is working relentlessly for the growth of the industry, with the inclusion of technology such as AI in the Pharmacy Sector. Practical training and skill-development are essential to nurture the students and increase their employability. As antimicrobial resistance emerges as a major global public health challenge, pharmacists must take the lead in promoting responsible medication practices, transparency and ethics to strengthen patient awareness and contribute to a healthy nation.”
Guest of Honour Dr. Atul K. Nasa, Member, Executive Council, Pharmacy Council of India, New Delhi, averred, “The pharmacy profession is evolving rapidly, with pharmacists assuming increasingly significant responsibilities in patient care, research and public health. Pharmacy Council of India has taken a lot of initiatives for the development of the pharma sector. Combating antimicrobial resistance requires collective commitment, continuous professional development and close collaboration among healthcare professionals. In future, only registered pharmacists will be eligible to obtain a wholesale drug licence, reinforcing the importance of professional qualifications, regulatory compliance and the role of trained pharmacy professionals in ensuring the safe and responsible distribution of medicines.” He urged the students to continue their higher studies after graduation and become highly qualified pharmacists.
Dr. Balvinder Shukla, Vice Chancellor, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, stated, “At Amity University, we remain committed to nurturing healthcare professionals who combine academic excellence with ethical values, scientific temper and a strong sense of social responsibility. The celebration of World Pharmacist Day and National Pharmacy Week reinforces the importance of pharmacists in strengthening healthcare delivery and advancing the vision of a healthier and more empowered India. We are proud to provide a platform that brings together academia, industry and healthcare professionals to exchange knowledge and inspire meaningful contributions to society.”
The inaugural session also featured Prof. (Dr.) Vibhu Sahani, Convener and Chairperson of the Finance Committee, Pharmacy Council of India, New Delhi, and Mr. Sandeep Badola, Member, Central Council, Pharmacy Council of India, New Delhi.
The programme also featured an expert talk on antimicrobial resistance and its emerging challenges by Prof. (Dr.) B. C. Das, Dean, Health and Allied Sciences, Amity University, Noida, followed by a panel discussion involving experts from the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.
Delivering the Vote of Thanks during the Inaugural Session, Dr. Havagiray Chitme, Head of Institution, Amity Institute of Pharmacy, said, “The celebration aimed to recognise the significant contributions of pharmacists to healthcare and patient safety, promote awareness about antimicrobial resistance, and foster academic interaction and professional collaboration among pharmacy institutions across Western Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.”
On this occasion, a series of student-centric activities, including pharmaceutical quizzes, scientific poster presentations, reel-making, Scitoons, leaflet-making and Nukkad Natak competitions, provided a platform for students to showcase their knowledge, creativity and scientific understanding.
The Valedictory Session featured Prof. (Dr.) Akash Ved, Co-Convener and Member, Central Council, Pharmacy Council of India; Mr. Dinesh Madan, Co-Convener and Member, Central Council, Pharmacy Council of India; and Shri Baldev Kumar, Member of the Law Committee and the Professional Pharmacy and Public Relations Committee (PP&PRC), Pharmacy Council of India. A report was presented by Prof. (Dr.) Swati Madan, Nodal Officer, Amity Institute of Pharmacy, followed by the felicitation of participants and prize distribution to recognise the achievements of the winners. The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Navneet Verma, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Development), Dean and Co-Coordinator, IFTM University, Moradabad.