CHICAGO: The Association of Indian Pharmacists (AIPHA), Board of Trustees and Volunteers of America, organized an exciting Annual Banquet and Business Expo on Sunday, November 11at the Meadows Club in Rolling Meadows, a northwest suburb of Chicago, to commemorate annual business network opportunities, Diwali and the holiday season with members and guests.
Master of Ceremonies Tushar Mehta kicked off the program by welcoming everyone to the gala.
To encourage NRI entrepreneurs to set up new manufacturing plants in India, Consul General Debandhu Bhati explained that “Annual growth of the Indian pharmacy industry by an average of 15% per year to reach twenty billion to fifty five billion dollar industry from the span of 2020 to 2030, producing world class pharmaceuticals products, dwarfs the average 5% growth of other non-pharmaceutical industries. This phenomenal growth will contribute significantly to Prime-minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Made in India’ goal in view of the availability of 100% approval of FDA for production of medical devices in India.”
Rupesh Manek, AIPHA Executive Director encouraged all pharmacists in Illinois to get involved and become members of National Indian Pharmacist Association (NIPA). He indicated that NIPA is dedicated to the construction of networking opportunities and the promotion of our cultural heritage for pharmacists of Indian origin. The NIPA is committed to supporting AlPHA in all of their struggles. He informed that NIPA membership now spans over 19 states in the country and he looks forward to its presence in all states of the country, as well as increased involvement from Illinois members.
Harish Bhatt, Lifelong President of the Association of Indian Pharmacists, thanked India Consul Bhati, Nikki Budzinski, a senior advisor to Governor Candidate JB Pritzker, Marcus Evans and Larry Walsh Jr, Rep. Raja Krishnamurthy for their presence and congratulated Illinois’ Department of Professional Regulation for putting into practice new pharmacy counseling rules beneficial to the pharmacy/patient relationship. “As health care providers, we are dedicated to maintaining high standards of integrity with patient care as our number one priority. This act solidifies the trust our patients deserve, and sets a great example for the entire nation, “he said.
He congratulated the few brave pharmacists who have filed a lawsuit against insurance companies, such as Prime Therapeutics, for their unfair practices and contract cancelations. “We are not getting paid for the cost of drugs, let alone the fees, and are prepared to fight this battle, “he said.
AIPHA helped defeating an ill-conceived plan from the City Council of Chicago to limit filling to only 10 prescriptions per hour. This battle is still not over and silver lining was the Federal guideline to increase Medicaid professional fees. The State of Illinois is one of 5 states still fighting the increase, he said. AIPHA Jacob Miller is working diligently with IPHA to pass PBM fairness bill; this is the first time it seems like it may actually pass, he declared.
The program concluded with some great memories of an evening which was educational, fun and entertainment by Barbara and party.
The AIPHA Annual Banquet and Business Expo offers a platform in which members can network amongst themselves, as well as giving them an opportunity to meet and greet with the decision makers that influence change. AIPHA) was founded in 1985 by 20 members.
Today, there are over 453 members. The student chapter of AIPHA at the University of Illinois-College of Pharmacy was established in 1996 to promote the representation of Indo-American practicing pharmacists and student pharmacists in various professional and socio-cultural activities.
IPHA Executive Board consists of President: Harish Bhatt, Vice President Ambalal Patel, Secretary Mahendra Patel, Joint Secretary Manu Patel, Treasurer Tushar Mehta, Joint Treasurer Snehal Bhavsar and Executive Director Rupesh Manak.
Suresh Bodiwala
