International Symposium
The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pak-Austria Fachhochschule: Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (PAF-IAST), Haripur, organized an International Symposium titled “Best Practices in Pharmacovigilance: A Global Perspective” on January 17, 2023. This event highlighted that drug safety is a major issue in Pakistan and only a strong pharmacovigilance system can cope with it.
This symposium was organized under the patronage of Chairman, Department of pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor Dr. Azhar Hussain. On this occasion, Project Director Dr. Naseer Ali Khan informed the participants about the goals and significance of the institution in detail. Director Establishment Prof. Dr. Arshad Hussain welcomed all the invited dignitaries and appreciated the organization of this first international symposium, and also assured all possible support to the department of pharmaceutical sciences in future as well.
The event was attended by key stake holders of pharma sector, including officials from Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan, Quality control board, hospital pharmacists, drug inspectors, industrial pharmacists, faculty and students of various universities.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Syed Rizwanuddin Ahmed, who came from Washington, USA, gave a very articulate and comprehensive talk on drug safety and highlighted the responsibilities of all stakeholders of the pharma sector. Mr. Ayyaz Kiani delivered a comprehensive lecture on pharmacovigilance in supply chain of medicine. He emphasized that the regulatory bodies, academia, pharma industry should work together to develop an effective pharmacovigilance, to ensure patient safety. Prof. Dr. Madeeha Malik, shed light on the global contract research market, and how it has a potential to lead in pharmacovigilance system in Pakistan.
Prof. Dr. Azhar Hussain highlighted that the universities could contribute through research collaborations, designing capacity building courses, and building industry-academia linkages, for establishing a strong pharmacovigilance system in Pakistan.
Moderator of the event, Dr. Amna Saeed, said that this is the 1st international symposium of its kind and will be followed by a series of such symposium to bring experts and key stakeholder together to pave out ways to promote drug safety in Pakistan. At the end, Shields were awarded to the invited speakers. Certificates of appreciation were awarded to the organizing committee that included Dr. Ishtiyaq Hussain, Dr. Mazhar Asjad, Dr. Nighat Batool, Dr. Hira Ijaz, Dr. Hamad Ali, Dr. Kashif Bashir, Dr. Bushra Shal, and Dr. Amna Saeed.