IDMA ACTIVITIES / EVENTS
"Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Indian Drugs"
IDMA Celebrates Golden Jubilee of Indian Drugs
Indian Drugs, a scientific and research journal published by the Indian Drug Manufacturers' Association (IDMA) celebrated 50 years of continued existence fittingly by organizing a Seminar on 8th March 2014 at Mumbai. Indian Drugs was arguably the first abstracted Indian pharmaceutical journal by leading databases Chemical Abstracts, Analytical Abstracts, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, Embase etc who continue to do so till today.
The memorable occasion also marked the bestowing of Lifetime Achievement Award on Dr Abraham Patani, Founder-Secretary and Past President of the Association.
Welcoming the gathering, IDMA President Mr S V Veerramani said that the Association was honoured and indebted to Dr Patani and his editorial team Members for their dedication and selfless service in bringing out 'Indian Drugs' for the past 50 years.
Dr Gopakumar Nair, Past President and presently the Editor of Indian Drugs, gave a historical background to the inception and growth of the journal. He said that 'Dr Patani, after founding the Association along with other Indian pioneer-manufacturers, was keenly conscious of the fact that only a periodically sustained effort such as a magazine devoted to Pharmaceutical Industry & Trade and covering the latest developments in the industry, in research and other information would be relevant and useful to the growing number of Members and the Indian Pharma industry. Thus was born the 'Indian Drugs' in 1963-64.' Dr Nair said that he has been associated with IDMA and Indian Drugs for over 40 years.
Dr Nagraj Rao, who had 'grown up idolizing Dr Patani', gave a brief glimpse of the early days in the late '50s, when his firm Indo German Alkaloids, later popular as Inga Laboratories was established.
Secretary-General Mr Daara Patel, who co-ordinated the event, read out the citation bestowing the Lifetime Achievement Award on Dr Patani beginning from his return from Germany after earning his doctorate in pharmaceutical sciences and setting up his own unit to manufacture pharmaceuticals in India to his active involvement in Association matters, industry issues, CSR activities, support to Government initiatives and his continued support to the growth of the Association and its publications (The citation is enclosed).1
Dr Patani in his brief acceptance speech thanked the Association and said that though a lot has been achieved over the past 5 decades in Indian Drugs, a lot is yet to be achieved and he had confidence in Dr Nair and Dr George Patani in carrying forward the legacy. Already the new technology is being embraced with Indian Drugs online presence that was launched soon after.
Many Editorial Board Members were present and were recognized & honoured for their continued dedicated honorary service provided to maintain the high quality of the Indian Drugs journal.
The Guest of Honour Dr K N Ganesh, Director, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune spoke on 'Innovation in education' highlighting how and what a dedicated educational institution can achieve. Such world class institutions were required to boost Indian R&D efforts globally.
The Chief Guest Dr A V Rama Rao, ex-Director, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad, Chairman & Managing Director, Avra Laboratories Pvt Ltd., Hyderabad spoke on 'Taking innovations to the market – A scientist's journey'. He gave personal examples and his successes in achieving breakthroughs in developing many drugs that have gone on to be bestsellers in India. He also cited the example of Vinblastine and Vincristine, alkaloids developed in India from natural sources for fighting cancer that have been accepted globally (Dr Rao's detailed presentation is enclosed).2
Dr George Patani, Chairman, Publications Subcommittee proposed a vote of thanks to the honoured Guests, Dr Patani, IDMA Secretariat, employees of Gopakumar Nair Associates and the audience for their presence and active participation.
