OPPI releases its publication In Science We Trust on 52nd annual day

Sidharth Nath Singh, minister for health, Government of Uttar Pradesh delivered the inaugural address.  Speaking about the relevance of the OPPI Annual Day theme, he said, ‘Health Meets Hope’, Singh said it is “relevant” and resonates with the pharmaceutical industry’s "hope" for facilitating ‘health’. And even though health remains the responsibility of Government, the minister believed, “the industry and Government need to collaborate to deliver a sustainable model of healthcare.”

Elaborating on the efforts to improve health outcomes in Uttar Pradesh, Singh mentioned that the state with a population of 23-crore people recorded low levels of IMR and MMR mortality rates: both maternal and infant.

 A Vaidheesh of OPPI and GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, said, “Millions of patients, over the world are in good health today, because of scientific research that has brought new treatments to them.  Discovery of new treatments calls for dedicated commitment from researchers fuelled by hope from patients as they battle diseases, both known and unknown. Research in medicine does not end with one discovery. It is a series of continuous efforts to better outcomes for patients. As we celebrate the 52nd OPPI Annual Day, we celebrate this very spirit of science as OPPI members are committed to bringing newer treatments for unmet medical needs.”

Kanchana TK, director general, OPPI, said, “Our annual publication In Science We Trust acknowledges the fact that scientific advancements enable social change and need thoughtful public policies that promote innovation and discovery.  Collaborative partnerships between Government, research institutions, the industry and Academia to drive the scientific temperament are required for the progress of mankind.”    

OPPI used the platform to release the‘inclUsion’- a compendium of Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) initiatives for the OPPI members.

“Diversity and inclusion reinforce organisational performance. It needs to be on the dashboard of every business head and not just remain an HR responsibility.  OPPI member companies have several initiatives for D&I that makes for an inclusive ecosystem that fosters a more productive and collaborative work environment, in which there are many you’s and one us,” added Kanchana TK.

The event also witnessed OPPI conferring the OPPI Lifetime Achievement Award 2018 to Dr Abhay and Dr Rani Bang, Indian social activists, and researchers known in the medical fraternity for their ground-breaking research on community health in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.

OPPI also acknowledged the contribution of scientists towards finding innovative methods for developing a healthier future. This included Prof Padma Venkitachalam Devarajan of Institute of Chemical Technology, Dr Sripada Rama Sastry of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, and Dr Indu Pal Kaur of Punjab University.