The universities should regularly interact with Government agencies so that the fruits of research done in the universities are used for the welfare of the society, said the Health and Family Welfare Minister Surendra Singh Negi while inaugurating the fourth annual international conference and exhibition on pharmaceutical research at the DIT University on Friday. The conference is being jointly organised by the Society of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (SPER) and the Department of Pharmacy, DIT University.

Negi emphasised the importance of research in pharmaceutical sciences in the State which is struggling with diseases like swine flu and dengue. He rued the fact that while the whole world is pursuing research in ayurvedic medicines Uttarakhand which is known for its herbal wealth is still far behind in research and development endeavors in this area.  The Health Minister stressed that people associated with the pharmaceutical industry should be against the misuse and dishonesty involved in the manufacture of life saving drugs. Negi made an appeal to the students to work hard to fulfil their dreams.

In his welcome speech, the Vice-Chancellor of DIT University, K K Raina, highlighted the importance of drugs. He also listed the milestones achieved by the DIT University in different fields of professionalism. The Chairman of organizing committee and head of Department of Pharmacology at Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi, Dr S H Ansari, advised the student delegates about techniques to overcome the limitations of personality development and confidence in their approach.

The Director, Administration, DIT University, Shishir Kumar said that due to development of new pharmaceutical systems most of the major diseases are showing a declining trend. With a theme of 'Pharmaceutical Innovation for Global Excellence - Ignite, Invent and Implement', the two-day international conference is being attended by more than 500 delegates.