Webinar on Responsible use of Medicines by St. Francis Institute of Technology

St. Francis Institute of Technology Library had organized a National Webinar on “Responsible Use of Medicines” on 23rd May, 2020.

The program commenced by imploring God’s blessings with the College Anthem. Dr. Kevin Noronha, Dean Academics of SFIT showcased an excellent video of SFIT and its activities to all the participants. He also introduced the Resource Person – Mrs. Manjiri Gharat to the audience.

Mrs. Manjiri Gharat is the Vice President and Chairperson of the Community Pharmacy Division of Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA). She is also the Incharge Principal at K.M. Kundnani Pharmacy Polytechnic, Ulhasnagar.

Mrs. Gharat is the recipient of the prestigious PAN-ASIAN Ishidate Award for Community Pharmacy at the 27^th FAPA Congress held in Manila, the Philippines in the year 2019. She has also received two International Awards – one from International Pharmaceutical Federation in 2016 at Buneos Aires and the other Ishidate in 2018. Madam is very active in the area of Consumer Medicine Education. She was instrumental in establishing a Public Private Partnership engaging Community Pharmacists in TB DOTS programme. She has started an Innovative Campaign on “Medicine Literacy” to improve the medicine usage by the consumers since 2008.

Mrs. Gharat is a regular writer in many of the leading newspapers such as Loksatta and Maharashtra Times. Her recent article in Loksatta on 1st May emphasized on the judicious use of Disinfectants and Hand Sanitisers and are worth reading in the present scenario.

She also has a book to her credit named Aaushadhbhaan.

Mrs. Manjiri Gharat effectively delivered an interactive session on “Responsible use of medicines” .In that she explained about right medicine at right time. She deliver talk on Health literacy, Inhalation of tablet,  liquid,capsule, eye drops, storing of medicine, Schedule H, Prescription and non-prescription drug, consequences of irresponsible use of medicine, Adverse drug reaction, self-medication with ADR. She explained about “Over the Counter” medicines and the associated problems in popping up antacid tablets without consultation of any Physician.

The session was well received by everyone especially because there were many questions on the use of immunity boosting medicines in the wake of COVID 19 rising cases every single day.

In the end, Asst. Professor (ExTC Department) Ms. Jovita Serrao posted the queries of the participants to the Resource Person.

Ms. Chinmayee Bhange, Librarian proposed the Vote of Thanks.

The session was attended by more than 275 participants. It was streamed live on our YouTube channel and was viewed by 939 people at the same time.

The technical support of streaming it live on Youtube was handled by our Asst. System Administrator – Mr. Johnson Pen.

The recording of this Webinar can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spcmkgNqDsQ