HYDERABAD:There is a need for a coordinated effort for more research and understanding of rare diseases in the country. To cure these rare diseases, the pharma industry must focus on inventing new medicines, former President of India APJ Abdul Kalam has said. There are around 10 identified rare diseases in India, he said.
Addressing the students at the fourth convocation of the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) here on Friday, Kalam advised the pharma students to focus more on innovation of new medicines that can cure rare diseases.
Kalam also felt that the current pharmacy education should be upgraded to provide continuous education to pharma professionals. The colleges can have a collaboration programme with pharma industries and hospitals for designing a continuing education course, the former President suggested.
NIPER, Hyderabad, already has plans for industry-academic collaboration and its is going enter into an Memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dr Reddy’s laboratories and Indian Drugs and Pharmaceutical limited (IDPL). Ninety seven students were awarded PG degrees at the convocation ceremony.
NIPER, which is going to set up its new campus at Genome Valley at Shameerpet in the coming three years, is planning to establish a national center for research and development in bulk drugs to cater to the R&D needs of the bulk drug industry, said Dr Ahmed Kamal, project director, NIPER, Hyderabad.
Dr VK Subburaj, secretary, department of pharmaceuticals, Union ministry of chemicals and fertilisers, Dr Laxmi Kantam, director, IICT and Dr Ariz Ahammed, joint secretary, department of pharmaceuticals were also present.