New Horizons for Pharmaceutical Sciences

Pharmaceutical Sciences is progressing by leaps and bounds. Drastic changes and developments are taking place in every facet concerning this profession. More thrust is being laid over Clinical Pharmacy Services worldwide. Pharmacists are assuming greater role and responsibility in patient healthcare services. Quality Assurance, be it in Pharmaceutical Industry, Hospital Pharmacy Services, Drug Regulatory Affairs, Pharmaceutical Educational Institutions or Drug Testing Laboratories, is the buzzword of the modern times. Good Manufacturing Practices, Good Clinical Practices, Good Pharmacy Practices and Good Laboratory Practices are being rigorously followed and observed worldwide. Measures are afoot worldwide to combat the menace of spurious, counterfeit, adulterated, misbranded and substandard drugs and pharmaceuticals. New technologies are being developed to ensure identification of counterfeit products. One of them promotes use of digital codes on every pharmaceutical pack whose authenticity can be confirmed by sending an SMS through mobile phones. Major strides are being made in laying stringent standards for the quality, safety and efficacy of medicinal products. Drug Prices are governed and monitored by government agencies through Drug Price Control Order, more to the benefit of common consumers. However there is dire need of ammendments in major provisions of various drug laws like Drugs and Cosmetics Act, Pharmacy Act, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, Essential Commodities Act and Clinical Establishments Act. It is hoped that by the year 2020 "Pharma Vision" document presented by ex-President of the Indian Republic, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam shall hopefully see the light of the day.