Prof. Angeni Bheekie, Associate Professor, School of Pharmacy, The University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa, and Prof. Van Huyssteen, Senior Lecturer, School of Pharmacy, University of the Western Cape, South Africa visited the Council along with Dr. Sunitha Srinivas, Faculty, Institute of Public Health, Bangalore and Dr. Purnima, Professor, K.L.E. College of Pharmacy, Bengaluru visited KSPC to discuss “#Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)” programme for the State of #Karnataka. Sri. Gangadhar V Yavagal, President welcomed the dignitaries explained about the ongoing activities of Karnataka State Pharmacy Council along with the newer initiatives planned for the professional improvement of the Registered Pharmacist in the state of Karnataka. Prof. B.G. Shivananada, Registrar, KSPC along with Dr. Gayathri Devi S, Former Dean, Sikkim Manipal University and Mr. Manoj Kumar Yadava, Consultant, Medical Communications and Digital Technologies also attended the discussion along with the guests.

Annual Convocation of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences-2019 Karnataka State Pharmacy Council has instituted an “Endowment Award of the Gold medal” to one student each for securing highest marks in B. Pharm and M. Pharm courses from 2019 through Rajiv Gandhi University Health Sciences, Bengaluru. Sri. Gangadhar V. Yavagal, President, Karnataka State Pharmacy Council, Bengaluru was an invite for the 21st annual convocation of Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences held on 26-03-2019. During this occasion, Ms. Hemapriya S., B. Pharm from Oxford College of Pharmacy, Bengaluru and Ms. Manjula R, M. Pharm (Pharmaceutics) from Mallige College of Pharmacy, Bengaluru who scored highest marks in the examination were awarded the KSPC sponsored Gold Medals.

A presentation cum workshop on "Antimicrobial Stewardship: From Policy to Implementation" by Dr. Reneir Coetzee, University of Western Cape, South Africa and Dr. Sunitha Srinivas, Faculty, Institute of Public Health, Bangalore was held on July 06, 2019 at seminar hall, KSPC, Bangalore.

The death compensation of Rs.1,25,000/- (One Lakh twenty-five thousand) was handed over to the nominee Sri. Raghavendra A Ranikanavar, husband of Registered Pharmacist Smt.Sheema Medihalli, KSPC Reg.No.52722, Enrolment No.29059 by Sri. Gangadhar V Yavagal, President, Karnataka State Pharmacy Council and Sri. Madarkandhi R.S., Member, Karnataka State Pharmacy Council in a meeting organized by Belgaum City Chemists and Druggist Association along with Belgaum District Chemists & Druggists Association(R).

Sri. Gangadhar V Yavagal, President and Sri. D.A.Gundu Rao, Vice-President, Karnataka State Pharmacy Council presented KSPC Publications to Sri.Jawaid Akhtar, Principal Secretary to Government, Health & Family Welfare Department, Karnataka during their visit to Health & Family Welfare Department on 6th June 2019.

Shree Devi College of Pharmacy, Mangalore in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bengaluru and Association of Pharmaceutical Teachers of India (APTI) organized two days “Faculty Development Programme – Basic Course in Education Methodology (Level-1, Phase-1)” on 8th and 9th April 2019 at Shree Devi College of Pharmacy, Mangalore. Dr. Jagadish V. Kamath, Principal, Sridevi College of Pharmacy, Mangalore and Executive Committee Member, Karnataka State Pharmacy Council, Bengaluru coordinated the training program. Dr.A.R. Shabaray, Principal, Srinivasa College of Pharmacy was one of the Chief Guest on this programme. The programme was inaugurated by Smt. Maina S Shetty, Director of Shree Devi College of Pharmacy, Mangalore. Training was given by more than 30 teachers.

Drug Information Service - “Usefulness to Community Pharmacists in Patient Care 2nd Series Webinar was conducted on 4th July 2020 at 3.00 p.m. on the topic “Drug Information Service - “Usefulness to Community Pharmacists in Patient Care”. Sri.Gangadhar V. Yavagal, President, KSPC welcomed all the resource persons and the participants for the webinar. Mr.Samson P. George, Deputy Registrar cum Drug Information Pharmacist introduced the speakers to all the participants. The webinar was presented by expert Academic Pharmacists who have carved a niche for themselves in their chosen areas. Dr.Ramesh Adepu, Principal & H.O.D of Pharmacy Practice, Vikas College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hyderabad highlighted on the main topic on “Drug Information Service”. Prof. Ramesh K Goyal, Vice-Chancellor, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences & Research University, Delhi highlighted about the “Challenges in Drug Information related to COVID 19 pandemic”. Dr.E. Maheswari, Prof. & HOD of Pharmacy Practice, Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bangalore delivered a lecture on “Poly Pharmacy & Deprescribing”. Dr.Vithya T., Asst. Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy, Bangalore on “How a Pharmacist should identify an Adverse Drug Reaction and how to report”. The question and answer session was headed by Mr.Samson and concluding remarks were given by the President. Around 2977 pharmacists registered and more than 400 attended the webinar. E-Attendance were collected, and feedback form was sent through mail for those participants who have submitted the attendance form. The E-Certificate was mailed for all those who have submitted the feedback form.

B.Com, MSc (IT)

Ms. Usha works as a technical assistant, Drug Information Center, KSPC for the past 22+ years and has been instrumental in providing information to the general public, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals. She is responsible for the content support and maintenance of the official website of Karnataka State Pharmacy Council (www.kspcdic.com). She is responsible for most of the documentation, correspondence, data entry, filing and attending to the on-call queries related to the activities of the pharmacist registrations and drug information services. She also gives her helping hand in editing and designing of KSPC publications, DIRC Newsletter and other training manuals that KSPC publishes from time-to-time.

M. Pharm (Pharmacy Practice), Professional Diploma in Clinical Research

Sam as known popularly amongst his pharmacy peers is a pharmacist with more than 12 years of experience. He is currently the Deputy Registrar cum Drug Information Pharmacist at the Drug Information Center of Karnataka State Pharmacy Council (KSPC), Bengaluru.

Sam comes with more than seven years of experience as clinical pharmacist cum lecturer at Al-Ameen College of Pharmacy and St. Martha's Hospital, Bengaluru. He has attended various national seminars and workshops on Pharmacovigilance, Advances in Pharmacy Practice and Harmonization of Pharmaceutical Education. He loves to debate on challenges ahead of pharmacy professionals and ensures his participation in various continuing pharmacy education programs.

Sam is editor of Drug Information Newsletter published quarterly by the KSPC and other KSPC publications:

• Hand Book of Pharma SOS
• Drugs Usage in Special Population - Pregnancy & Lactation & Pediatrics & Geriatrics
• Tobacco Free Future-Choice is yours
• 2 You from My Desk

This book is a compilation of the official desk of DIRC Newsletter which throws light on various issues addressed and not addressed both in and out of the professional parleys like Drug Information Bulletin, Rational use of Drugs, Essential Drug List and Standard Treatment Guidelines, Need for Consumer Information on OTC drugs, Sound-Alike and Look-Alike Medicine-Caution, AIDS day, TB day, World Heart Day, Pharmacist Role in HIV-AIDS, TB, Osteoporosis, Polio Eradication, Preventing High Blood Pressure, Diabetes Management, Asthma Management, Focus on E-continuing Pharmacy Education etc.

Tobacco and tobacco smoking have been comprehensively well addressed in simple language that glides the reader from the origin of tobacco to the need to quit smoking.

It motivates the smoker to quit smoking and turns the ex-smoker or a non-smoker into a counsellor.

An ideal ready reckoner to the pediatricians, pharmacist, students and healthcare professionals to know safety and effectiveness of 717 drug molecules in pediatric population.

Provides information on dosages, dose adjustments of drugs in elderly (Geriatric population).

Special dosing formulas for pediatric population are provided.

A chart on drugs to be avoided in neonates and infants. Provides chart on contraindicated drugs and safer alternatives, common drugs causing severe adverse drug reactions and drug interaction in the elderly.

Provides quick reference for the category of drugs, used in children and elderly

A very handy book for the gynaecologist, pharmacist, students and professionals to refer before using any drug during pregnancy and breast-feeding.

It covers around 648 drug molecules with unique features of drugs usage according to the human system or therapeutic category.

Also provides general principles of counselling and choice of drug therapy during pregnancy along with special chart on contraindicated drugs in pregnancy and lactation.

A typical compilation of brief, apt, unbiased and authentic information.

Provides patient counselling information on about 1064 drug molecules.

It covers clinical applications, cautionary instructions, dosage in relation, side effects and contraindicated drugs.

Mainly targeted for pharmacists to enhance the relationship between the patients and the pharmacists by the way of counselling them, by explaining the role of practicing pharmacist in improving the medication compliance in their patients, clinical pharmacy activities like medication history interview, drug therapy monitoring, adverse drug reaction monitoring, therapeutic drug monitoring, selection of drug therapy, prevention, assessment and management of drug interactions, drug information and poison information centers etc.

This book also provides a list of drugs approved/ prohibited/banned for manufacture and sale in India