Shillong: Dr. Montukumar M. Patel, President of the Pharmacy Council of India, broke ground on the Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Residency at the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya on November 12. The ceremony expanded campus housing infrastructure while anchoring a day of events for National Pharmacy Week 2026. The School of Pharmaceutical Sciences hosted the gathering in the Central Auditorium, focusing on the theme Swastha Bharat: Combating Antimicrobial Resistance.
The event drew top officials from across the region. Guests included Dr. R. Pohsnem, Deputy Director of Health Services for Meghalaya, and Ri Bhoi Drug Inspector Smt. Priska Kshiar. The Pharmacy Council of India and the Meghalaya Pharmacy Council organized the program to address the growing public health threat posed by drug resistance. They urged students and regulators to manage medicine use with greater care.
Prof. (Dr.) Pallab Kalita kicked off the day with a welcome address. Prof. (Dr.) Gauri Dutt Sharma, Vice Chancellor of USTM, and GCU department head Prof. (Dr.) Damiki Laloo also took the stage. The afternoon session featured a panel discussion involving experts like Shri Devis Stone Swer, President of the Meghalaya Pharmacy Council, and Prof. (Dr.) L. K. Nath. During his address, Dr. Patel emphasized the need for unity in the field. He stated, "The programme highlighted antimicrobial resistance as a growing public health challenge and emphasised the important role of pharmacists, educators, regulators and students in promoting the responsible use of medicines."
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