Celebration of World Pharmacists Day / National Pharmacy Week 2026 – “Swasth Bharat: Combating Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)”

Saraswati College of Pharmacy (SCP) and Saraswati Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (SIPER), Mohali, celebrated World Pharmacists Day / National Pharmacy Week 2026 from 21 to 25 September 2026. The celebration aimed to create awareness about antimicrobial resistance (AMR), promote the responsible use of antimicrobial agents, and highlight the important role of pharmacists in safeguarding public health.

A series of educational, creative, and awareness-based activities were organized at the college level, including Poster Presentation, Quiz Competition, Reel-Making Competition, Nukkad Natak, AMR Awareness Rally, Panel Discussion, Leaflet-Making Competition, and Sci-Toon Competition. Students from both institutions participated enthusiastically and demonstrated their knowledge, creativity, communication skills, and commitment to spreading awareness about antimicrobial resistance.

Based on their performances in the college-level activities, the top-performing teams were selected to represent SCP and SIPER at the state-level celebration organized on 10 October 2026 at Punjabi University, Patiala, under the AMR Awareness Mission of the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), New Delhi, in association with Punjab Pharmacy Council and the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala.

A total of 47 students from SCP and SIPER participated in the state-level event, which witnessed participation from students representing more than 105 colleges. The participating teams competed in various categories, including Quiz, Sci-Toon, Poster Presentation, and Nukkad Natak.

The representation from both institutions included two Quiz teams each from SCP and SIPER, two Sci-Toon teams each, and three Poster Presentation teams each. Additionally, one Nukkad Natak team represented Saraswati College of Pharmacy.

A major highlight of the event was the achievement of the Saraswati College of Pharmacy Nukkad Natak team, which secured Third Position at the state-level competition. The team was felicitated by Dr. Montu Kumar Patel, President of the Pharmacy Council of India, with a cash prize of ₹1,100 and a memento. This recognition reflected the students' dedication, teamwork, and efforts to communicate the importance of combating antimicrobial resistance through an engaging public awareness performance.

The participation of students from both institutions provided a valuable opportunity for intercollegiate interaction, knowledge sharing, and exposure to a state-level academic platform. The activities reinforced the importance of responsible antimicrobial use, infection prevention, and the contribution of pharmacy professionals in addressing the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance.

To create awareness among students about antimicrobial resistance and its impact on public health.

To promote the responsible use of antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents.

To highlight the role of pharmacists in preventing and combating antimicrobial resistance.

To encourage student participation in educational, creative, and public awareness activities.

To develop students' communication, teamwork, leadership, presentation, and critical-thinking skills.

To provide students with an opportunity to showcase their knowledge and talent at college and state levels.

To encourage collaboration and healthy competition among pharmacy students from different institutions.

To strengthen students' understanding of public health responsibilities and the professional role of pharmacists.

After participating in the activities, students were able to:

Develop a better understanding of antimicrobial resistance, its causes, consequences, and prevention.

Recognize the importance of rational antimicrobial use and antibiotic stewardship.

Understand the role of pharmacists in promoting public health and raising awareness about AMR.

Improve their communication, teamwork, creativity, leadership, and presentation skills.

Gain experience in educational competitions and public awareness campaigns.

Interact with students from other pharmacy institutions and gain exposure to state-level activities.

Demonstrate their knowledge through Quiz, Poster Presentation, Sci-Toon, and Nukkad Natak competitions.

Represent their institutions at a state-level platform, with the SCP Nukkad Natak team securing Third Position and receiving a cash prize of ₹1,100 and a memento.