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As the most significant event in the professional calendar approaches, the National General Secretary of the Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), Dr. Subhash C Mandal, has called upon the entire pharmacist community to join the celebration of the 64th National Pharmacy Week (NPW), scheduled from 16th to 22nd November 2025.
The chosen theme for this year, “Pharmacists as Advocates of Vaccination,” serves as a powerful testament to the expanding and vital public health roles the profession is ready to embrace, he opined.
According to Dr Mandal, the Indian pharmacy profession, recognized globally as the ‘Pharmacy of the Globe’, has a long and distinguished history. This title has been rightly earned through the outstanding and consistent contributions of its members to pharmaceutical research, education, and the growth of the industry.
While pharmacists have successfully ensured that medicines reach every corner of the country and that supply chains remain robust, the Indian Pharmaceutical Association recognizes that the time has come to transcend conventional dispensing roles. There remains immense scope to elevate the quality of services provided in the practice sector, directly contributing to superior public health outcomes across the nation.
He said, in order to strategically empower the community for this essential emerging role, the IPA has taken several decisive steps in high-level advocacy. These initiatives are specifically designed to secure the critical recognition and protection the profession deserves, starting with a formal request to the Government to officially recognize pharmacists as vaccinators.
Building on this crucial request, the Association continues its strong advocacy efforts on multiple complementary fronts. Specifically, the IPA has urged the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) to include vaccination in the syllabus of all pharmacy courses, covering both theory and practical aspects. Additionally, the Association is actively advocating for ensuring the mandatory presence of pharmacists in community pharmacies and is fighting for the inclusion of pharmacists under Professional Indemnity Insurance Coverage.
Beyond policy, the IPA’s commitment to this transformation is demonstrated by its proactive action on the ground. The Association is currently implementing a joint project with the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) on vaccination to equip pharmacists with the necessary skills. It is reported that the foundational Training-of-Trainers (T-o-T) programs in Bangalore and Mumbai are complete, and the subsequent training of pharmacists in vaccination has already commenced. This signals a collective stride toward the future of pharmaceutical care.
The national general secretary earnestly requests all IPA State/Local Branches, institutions, and every pharmacist to celebrate this 64th National Pharmacy Week with vigour. The community is urged to involve policy makers, regulators, administration, and the general public in every event to showcase the critical roles pharmacists are playing today and the emerging responsibilities that will profoundly improve the outcomes of the country's healthcare system tomorrow. This collective engagement is vital to ensuring the profession's voice is heard and its expanding role is fully recognized.
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