World Health Organisation (WHO) India Country Office along with the
Translational Health Science & Technology Institute (THSTI),
Government of India in collaboration with the Pharmacy Council of India
(PCI) have co-developed and launched an e-learning course on the
Rational use of medicines for pharmacists.
Appropriate use of
medicines is a key factor in achieving Universal health coverage WHO
defines rational use of Medicines (RUM) as “patients receiving
medications appropriate to their clinical needs, in doses that meet
their requirements, for an adequate time, and at the lowest cost to them
and their community”.
Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Drugs
Controller General (India), Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation
Govt of India highlighted during his Inaugural Address “I firmly
advocate that the rational use of medicines is pivotal in preventing
avoidable adverse drug effects, optimising therapeutic outcomes by
fostering patient adherence, and minimising the overall expenditure on
drug therapy.
The Govt of India through the National Health Policy
(2017) emphasises the importance of rational use of medicines including
pharmacovigilance in healthcare settings.
Congratulating THSTI,
PCI, and WHO India Office, for the launch of the e-learning course on
rational use of Medicines, Dr Roderico H Ofrin, WHO Representative to
India said, “I am certain this course will enhance the knowledge of
pharmacists in the promotion of rational use of medicines across
healthcare delivery system in the nation and ultimately contribute to
providing quality health care to patients.”
WHO recommends
strategies to promote rational use of medicines which includes drug use
policies, clinical guidelines and evidence-based clinical practice,
essential medicines list, public education about medicines, and
appropriate and enforced regulation.
“This online course has
several unique features like inbuilt mechanism for an exit assessment
and certification and dynamic discussion forum for continued interaction
between the experts & participants,” said Dr Hilde, Team Leader,
Health systems, WHO India Country office.
In his Keynote Address,
Dr G Karthikeyan, Executive Director, BRICS-Translational Health Science
and Technology Institute, Department of Biotechnology, Government of
India emphasised that “This course aims to deepen understanding and
promote compliance with rational medication practices within the
healthcare system. By ensuring patients receive appropriate medications
in optimal doses and duration at minimal cost, pharmacists play a
pivotal role in enhancing healthcare quality.”
Acknowledging the
importance of rational use of medicines Dr Montu Patel, President,
Pharmacy Council of India stated, “Pharmacy Council of India will extend
all support to THSTI and WHO for improving the rational use of
medicines to develop education and policy interventions for safe and
rational use of medicines.”
This course comprises various modules
such as the basic concept of rational use of Medicines, pharmacy
practice regulation and drug regulatory system in India. It is steered
by distinguished course advisory group members and faculty members from
different parts of country having expertise in the field of medicine,
pharmacology, public health and drug regulation among others, said Dr
Madhur Gupta, Technical Officer, WHO India Country Office, in her
opening remarks.
The launch ceremony was attended by course
advisory group members including the Chair Dr Gagandeep Kang,
Director-Enterics, Diagnostics, Genomics & Epidemiology, Global
Health, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF); Dr Deependra Singh,
Chairman – Education Regulation Committee, Pharmacy Council of India; Dr
Sucheta Banerjee Kurundkar, Principal Scientist II, Translational
Health Science and Technology Institute; Dr Dhananjay K Sable, Deputy
Drugs Controller (India) CDSCO, MoHFW; and Eminent Subject Experts from
all over the country.
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