25/09/2025
AMU Observes 5th National Pharmacovigilance Week with Awareness Drives, Educational Competitions, and Community Engagement
ALIGARH, September 24: Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) successfully observed the 5th National Pharmacovigilance Week from September 17 to 23, 2025, under the theme “Your Safety, Just a Click Away: Report to PvPI.” The week-long celebrations featured a wide array of academic events, awareness drives, creative competitions, and community outreach initiatives designed to promote drug safety, responsible medicine use, and public health consciousness. The observance was conducted in line with the directives of the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI), Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.
The week commenced with a sensitization lecture on pharmacovigilance at Minto Circle School, followed by a symposium on PvPI and a guest lecture on Anti-Tubercular Therapy (ATT)-induced adverse drug reactions (ADRs) for resident doctors. The official inauguration on September 19 was graced by Prof. Mohammad Habib Raza, Dean, Faculty of Medicine and Principal & CMS, JNMC, as Chief Guest, and Mr. Mayank Pathak, IPS (ASP, Aligarh), as Guest of Honour, followed by a walkathon around the hospital premises to engage the public.
Throughout the week, various programmes were conducted to sensitize students, patients, and the broader community. Awareness sessions were held at the OPD, Trauma Centre, and Dental College, and an exhibition of pharmacovigilance publications was organized at Ibn Sina Academy. An ADR awareness programme in collaboration with the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP), Aligarh, was held at Hotel Lemon Tree. Undergraduate and postgraduate students of Pharmacology participated in poster-making and quiz competitions, and a guest lecture on “Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and One Health: The Role of Vaccines” was conducted. NSS volunteers staged a street play, “Dawa Ka Dushparinam,” on the AMU campus, while another play, “Drug Side Effects,” was performed at the NSS campus near Women’s College, highlighting the risks of medicines, vaccines, and medical devices, and encouraging patients, families, and healthcare professionals to report ADRs through the toll-free helpline (1800-180-3024) and the official ADR PvPI mobile application.
In parallel, the Department of Education organized a dedicated programme on September 22 to raise awareness among its students. The morning session featured Slogan Writing and Poster Making competitions judged by Dr. Noora Abdul Kader and Dr. Mohammad Hanif Ahmad, while the afternoon session hosted a Speech Competition in English, Hindi, and Urdu, adjudicated by the same panel and anchored by Tayyaba Akhtar and Ufuk Haya. The sessions were graced by Prof. Nakhat Nasreen (Chairperson), Dr. Mohammad Hanif Ahmad (Program Coordinator), and Prof. Sajid Jamal (Senior Professor). Winners included Rifah Muzammil, Sana Hafeez, Marya Iqbal, Layeba Farooqi, Huda Sultan, Zainab Naseem, Tayyaba Akhtar, Mohd. Safwan, and Sana Amanullah, whose achievements were recognized during the valedictory session.
Under the guidance of Mrs. Amna Malik, Principal, and Mrs. Alka Agarwal, Vice Principal, AMU Girls’ School also observed National Pharmacovigilance Week with great enthusiasm from September 17 to 22. Coordinated by Mrs. Zeba Nawaz and organized by Mrs. Naushaba Yasmeen and Mrs. Farrukh Shamim, the school’s programme featured a Debate Competition, a Poster Presentation Competition, a Walkathon, a Nukkad Natak, an Essay Writing Competition, and a Quiz Competition. The students actively participated in all activities, creatively showcasing their understanding of drug safety, ADRs, and responsible medicine use.
The Ahmadi School for the Visually Challenged conducted a week-long observance featuring a morning assembly lecture, a walkathon with banners promoting a drug-free lifestyle, and special lectures on “Mental Health and Stress Management” by Prof. Asma Parveen (Department of Psychology) and “CME and CPE Awareness” by Dr. Samina Ahmad (Community Medicine, JNMC).
The valedictory function of the AMU-wide observance was graced by Mr. Arun Yadav, IAS (Additional Commissioner), who highlighted the importance of ADR reporting for patient safety and improved drug monitoring. Prof. Mohammad Habib Raza appreciated the dedicated efforts of the Pharmacovigilance team. Senior faculty members, including Prof. Mohammad Shameem, Prof. Kamran Afzal, and Prof. Pradhuman Verma, were felicitated for their support, while Dr. Abdul Sadiq Khan, Dr. Mohd. Yaman, and Dr. Ajith Xavier received awards for maximum ADR reporting. Winners of the poster-making, quiz, slogan, speech, and other school competitions were also honored.
The proceedings were conducted by Dr. Surbhi Jain and Dr.Gajula Sandhya Vani, with a vote of thanks acknowledging the contributions of all participants, coordinators, faculty members, and support staff. The comprehensive activities during National Pharmacovigilance Week 2025 reflected AMU’s commitment to holistic education, community engagement, and public health awareness, successfully sensitizing students, healthcare professionals, and the community to the critical importance of pharmacovigilance and safe medicine practices.
Public Relations Office
Aligarh Muslim University
