The Department of Pharmacy Practice in association with the Center for Toxicovigilance and Drug Safety inaugurated the MAHE ISPE Student Chapter and release of ‘Visha Vivechane’, an educational documentary for farmers on 9 February 2023 at Shirdi Sai Baba Conference Hall. Head of the department Dr.Suruliven Rajan, delivered the welcome address which was followed by the lighting of lamp by the dignitaries. Dr.Karunakar A Kotegar, Director, International Collaborations, MAHE, Manipal inaugurated the MAHE ISPE student chapter. ISPE serves as a platform for the student to interact with various professionals in the area of Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety. It provides free webinar and interactive session for the students and direct them to various research opportunities across the globe. The chapter also enhances internationalization and training opportunities for the students of MAHE and different countries.

Dr. Krishna Undela delivered the keynote address on “Advantages of being a part of ISPE and its student chapter”. Educational documentary (Visha Vivechane) was released by Dr.Sharath Kumar Rao, Pro-Vice Chancellor-Health Sciences, MAHE, Manipal, as a part of the community’s education move for the farmers on the safe use of pesticides. This educational documentary is dedicated to Dr. TMA Pai on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee celebration of MCOPS, MAHE. This movie focuses on imparting knowledge and awareness of safe use of pesticides among farmers. The movie in the local language narrates various safety measures to be adopted, from mixing to disposal of pesticides.

As a part of the program, Dr. Padmaraj Hegde, Dean, KMC, MAHE, Manipal announced the International Symposium, “Asia Pacific joined symposium on Medication Safety and Toxicovigilance” to be held in September 2023. Chief guest Dr.Sharath Kumar Rao addressed the gathering.  He spoke about the importance of MAHE ISPE Chapters and educational documentaries in internationalization and encouraged the researchers to continue quality research work.

Around 75 people including staff, research scholars, and students of the Pharmacy Practice department attended the programme.