On 8th April 2025, A Regional Training Programme on the “Implementation of PV Guidance Document for MAHs of Pharmaceutical Products, Version 2.0” was successfully held at the School of Pharmacy, Techno India University, West Bengal. This important programme was organized by the National Coordination Centre – Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI) under the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), Government of India.
The aim of the event was to spread awareness about pharmacovigilance — the science of detecting, assessing, and preventing adverse effects of pharmaceutical products — and to ensure patient safety throughout the entire medicine lifecycle.
The event began with a ceremonial lamp lighting, followed by a welcome address by Dr. Jai Prakash, Officer-in-Charge of PvPI. He shared the objectives of the programme and highlighted recent developments. The event was graced by Prof. Dr. Samiran Chattopadhyay, Vice Chancellor of Techno India University, and Prof. (Dr.) Beduin Mahanti, Director of the School of Pharmacy and Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, who delivered inspiring speeches on the importance of pharmacovigilance in current pharmaceutical practice. Special addresses were delivered by Prof. Suparna Chatterjee, Coordinator at IPGMER Kolkata, Shri Deepnath Roy Chowdhury, Managing Director of Strassenburg Pharmaceuticals, and Mr. Arup Kumar Chatterjee, Deputy Drugs Controller of India, CDSCO, East Zone.
The event brought together approximately 50 participants from across the pharmaceutical industry, academic institutions, and regulatory bodies. Faculty members, industry professionals, and pharmacy students took part in various interactive sessions, underscoring the collaborative essence of pharmacovigilance efforts in India. The theme of the programme — “Let us join hands with PvPI to ensure patient safety” — was prominently displayed on posters throughout the venue, setting the tone for a day filled with learning, dialogue, and shared commitment to drug safety and risk management.
Technical sessions throughout the day covered various crucial topics. Dr. Jai Prakash gave an overview of PvPI and its updates. Mr. Arup Kumar Chatterjee discussed the regulatory perspectives on pharmacovigilance. Dr. Anamika Dutta elaborated on the role of MedDRA (Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities) in PvPI, and Dr. Vivek Ahuja, Sr. Vice-President of Eversana Lifesciences Services, presented the key features of the updated guidance document.
The day concluded with a thought provoking panel discussion moderated by Prof. (Dr.) Beduin Mahanti. Esteemed panellists included Prof. Santanu Tripathi from Jagannath Gupta Institute of Medical Sciences, Dr. Subhash C. Mandal from the Indian Pharmaceutical Association, Dr. Vivek Ahuja, Mr. Arup Kumar Chatterjee, and Dr. Jai Prakash. Around 50 participants from the pharmaceutical industry and academia attended the event, making it a valuable platform for knowledge sharing and collaborative learning.
This regional programme marked another successful step toward India’s ongoing efforts in ensuring safer pharmaceuticals for the public and reinforced Techno India University’s commitment to academic excellence and public health advocacy.