Upskilling & Certification Program of LSSSDC under PMKVY 4.0

Mar 10, 2025

The Upskilling & Certification Program of the Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council (LSSSDC) under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0: “Pharmacovigilance - Case Processing (Incidents/Adverse events using software including AI tools)” was successfully conducted from 10th to 14th March 2025 at NGSMIPS in collaboration with the Pharmacy Council of India (PCI), New Delhi, Karnataka State Pharmacy Council (KSPC), Bengaluru and LSSSDC. The curriculum combined theoretical learning with hands-on experience, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of pharmacovigilance.

Prof. (Dr) A N Parameswaran, Director, Institute Industry Collaboration, Nitte DU was the Chief Guest. Guests of Honor included Prof. (Dr) Saleemulla Khan, Central Council Member, PCI & Principal, PA College of Pharmacy, Mangaluru; Prof. (Dr) Jagadish V. Kamath, Nominated Member, KSPC & Principal, Shree Devi College of Pharmacy, Mangaluru and Prof. (Dr) C S Shastry, Director (Research & SIs), NGSMIPS, Mangaluru.

The training was led by Dr. Uday Venkat Mateti, Associate Professor, Pharmacy Practice, NGSMIPS. A total of 31 registered pharmacists of KSPC participated in this program. Participants were trained in essential topics such as adverse event identification and case processing, along with hands-on experience using a leading pharmacovigilance tool like VigiFlow. The program also explored cutting-edge AI applications in signal detection and automation. Practical case studies were incorporated to bridge theoretical knowledge with real-world problem-solving. Participants were introduced to AI-enabled software for signal detection & data mining, enhancing their ability to analyze and manage pharmacovigilance data effectively. Further, the training included case study analysis, enabling participants to develop risk management strategies based on real-world scenarios. The program also included a simulation of regulatory reporting processes, allowing pharmacists to practice filling out forms and generating reports in compliance with international regulatory standards including those established by the FDA, EMA, CDSCO and PvPI-IPC.

The Upskilling and Certification Program aimed to equip pharmacists with the necessary skills to identify, report and manage adverse drug events using advanced software and AI tools. Through this training, participants gained valuable expertise in modern pharmacovigilance practices, preparing them for more efficient and effective roles in drug safety and regulatory compliance. The final assessment, conducted on 14th March 2025, evaluated participants through multiple-choice questions (MCQs), oral viva and practical exams, overseen by Mr. Venkataramana Aigal, Assessor from Team IRIS-Corp, Bangalore. This comprehensive training program successfully equipped pharmacy professionals with the skills necessary to enhance patient safety through effective drug safety monitoring and regulatory compliance in the evolving pharmaceutical landscape.