NATIONAL PHARMACOVIGILANCE WEEK CELEBRATIONS AT TMMC&RC

September 24, 2023: Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College & Research Centre (TMMC&RC) recently celebrated the National Pharmacovigilance Week from September 17th to 23rd, 2023, under the auspices of the Indian Pharmacopeia Commission's Pharmacovigilance Program of India (PvPI). This year's theme, "Boosting Public Confidence in Pharmacovigilance," drove a series of events aimed at enhancing awareness, encouraging adverse drug reaction reporting, and improving patient safety within the medical community.

Led by Professor (Dr.) Prithpal Singh Matreja, the Head of the Department of Pharmacology and the Coordinator of the Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Center (AMC) at TMMC&RC, and Dr. Yash Goel, a Junior Pharmacovigilance Associate, the week-long celebration featured several impactful activities.

OUTREACH INITIATIVES

Orientation sessions were conducted for both faculty and students in the fields of Medical Sciences and Allied Health. These sessions laid the foundation for understanding the importance of pharmacovigilance and its role in ensuring medication safety. A series of lectures on medication errors were delivered to faculty members of the Medical College. Special sessions focusing on boosting public confidence in pharmacovigilance were organised for Dental and Pharmacy students, for a comprehensive understanding of the subject among these future healthcare professionals. Additionally, a public awareness campaign was conducted at TMU Hospital, where pamphlets were distributed to educate the public about the significance of pharmacovigilance.

Even beyond the University's walls, TMMC&RC extended its commitment to medication safety. Students conducted a session for Springfield School, Moradabad, emphasizing the importance of safe medication use and reporting adverse events. 

CONTESTS AND CHAMPIONS

Following these enlightening sessions, a competition challenging students to identify Look Alike and Sound Alike Drugs was held. Second Phase MBBS students enthusiastically participated, showcasing various methods for preventing medication errors and the safe use of high-risk medications.

The judging panel, comprising Professor (Dr.) N K Singh, Principal of TMMC&RC; Professor (Dr.) S K Jain, Dean Faculty of Medical Sciences and Head of the Department of Anatomy; Professor (Dr.) Seema Awasthi, Head of the Department of Pathology; and Professor (Dr.) Prithpal Singh Matreja declared the winners. The top honours went to Muskan Chauhan, Nandini Singh, Nikhil Chandra, Nipur Varshney, and Nipun Sharma. The first runner-up was the group consisting of Priyansha Chawla, Purti Polpi, Purvi Singh, Ravi Yadav, and Ridhima Solanki. The third runners-up were the team of Deepanshu Kushwah, Dhairya, Dhaanya Shukla, and Divya Mishra.

 AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

The week's activities concluded with an awards ceremony to recognise the contributions of faculty members from the Department of Pharmacology, including Dr. Shilpa Patrick, Dr. Preeti Singh, Dr. Meenu Thomas, Dr. Pooja Agrawal, and Dr. Dhyuti Gupta. Their active involvement played a crucial role in the success of the event.

 INSTITUTIONAL COMMITMENT TO HEALTHCARE EXCELLENCE

The National Pharmacovigilance Week at TMMC&RC served as an invaluable platform for fostering a culture of medication safety, building public trust, and equipping future healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to ensure the well-being of patients. This initiative is a testament to TMMC&RC's commitment to excellence in healthcare education and patient care.

Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College & Research Centre (TMMC&RC) is among the top medical colleges in India, dedicated to providing high-quality medical education, research, and patient care. With a strong commitment to pharmacovigilance and medication safety, it aims to shape the future of healthcare in India through education, innovation, and dedication to the well-being of patients and the broader community.

For more details, visit www.tmu.ac.in.