Highlights of the launch on 30th March 2005

The launch meeting was presided over by Mr. Daniel Navid, Chief Executive Officer, IOF. Professor Jean-Yves Reginster (General Secretary, IOF), Dr. Ambrish Mithal (President, ISBMR) Dr. Sushil Sharma (President, AFI) and Mr. Paul Sochaczewski (Head of Communication, IOF) made presentations. The focus of the launch Meeting was to present before invitees, belonging to diverse fields, the spectrum of metabolic bone disease in India, important public health issues pertaining to bone disease, and the outline of planned activities as part of the initiative.

The ISBMR was also represented by Dr. Nikhil Tandon (Secretary), Dr. Manoj Chadha ( Member Executive, Mumbai), Dr. Urvashi Jha (Member Executive New Delhi; Past President of the Indian Menopause Society); Dr. Uma Ravishankar (Treasurer, New Delhi); Professor Subhash Kukreja (Member Executive, Chicago) and Dr. Arvind Chopra (Member Executive, Pune & Secretary, Bone and Joint Decade, India).

Dr. Jean-Yves Reginster, Secretary General of the IOF, initiated proceedings with a detailed description about the problem of osteoporosis globally, its impact and prevention. His lucid and illustrated presentation highlighted medical aspects of the disease, but from a general point of view, so that the large contingent of non-medical audience could get the message and actively participate and contribute to the proceedings. He also emphasized the economic consequences of osteoporosis, in particular, for the benefit of the several senior policy makers present.

Dr. Ambrish Mithal (President, ISBMR) gave a succinct outline of the Indian scenario. He pointed out that several recent studies suggest an important role for Calcium and Vitamin D nutrition in disease causation in India. He touched on preventive measures as well as treatment. He also outlined ongoing attempts at physician education by ISBMR, and emphasized the need for a more widespread, structured, and standardized program. He elucidated the role that ISBMR intends to play in the field of osteoporosis in India. He also outlined the strategy proposed by the ISBMR to enhance physician awareness and encourage research in areas specific to India.

Dr. Sushil Sharma, Chairman AFI outlined AFI activities and accomplishments from its inception, particularly in the field of public awareness. He then unveiled the future plan of action of the AFI for enhancing public awareness.

Mr. Paul Sochazewski outlined IOF’s objectives, and the role it has been playing in various countries so far. He also outlined the role of various IOF committees. The committee for national societies (CNS) presently has 168 members in 84 locations across the globe, and has played a pivotal role in influencing policy changes in different countries. Paul stressed that the India program in terms of its scope and objectives was the first of its kind, and could possibly serve as a template for programs in other countries in the future.

At the invitation of the ISBMR the following representatives of the Central Government and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi also participated actively in the meeting: Dr. Bela Shah (Chief, Division of Non-Communicable Diseases; and Sr. Deputy Director General Indian Council of Medical Research); Dr Namita Bedi (Division of Reproductive Health and Nutrition; Deputy Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research); Dr. Cherian Varghese (Coordinator, Non-Communicable Diseases; World Health Organization, SEARO); Professor Badri Nath (Deputy Director General [Medical], Directorate of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India); Mrs Loveleen Kacker (Joint Secretary, Department of Women and Child, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India); Ms Gurpreet Deo (Member, National Commission for Women, Government of India); and Dr. Anil Mehra (Additional Director, Directorate of Health Services, Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi). The meeting was also attended on the invitation of the ISBMR by representatives of all major health care / pharmaceutical companies involved in bone health in India . These included: Mr. GR Anand (Head-Bone & Joint Division, Sanofi-Aventis) and Mr. Inder Mohan Singh ( Therapeutic Area Executive ; Sanofi-Aventis); Mr. Rajiv Gulati (CEO, Eli Lilly India), Mr. Arvind Vaid ( Controller - Specialty Business , Eli Lilly India) and Mr. Anchal Joshi (Brand Associate, Eli Lilly India); Marketing Manager (Dr. Reddy’s Labs); Mr. Sridhar Venkatesh (Pfizer); Mr. Rajeev Bartarya (General Manager, Glaxo Smith Kline); Mr. Tushar Naik (Marketing Manager, USV Ltd.), Mr. Parag Damle ( Product Manager, South Asia Wipro GE) and Ms. Deepa (Group Product Manager, Wipro GE); Mr. Rajesh Tiwari (Novartis) and Mr. Jasvinder Singh (Novartis). McCann Health, which has been involved in making the public awareness material, was represented by Mr. Graeme Read on the invitation of IOF. Other attendees included Ms. Sonika (Cipla), Representative from Nestle India, Mr. BK Pant (DXA); Mr. Mahesh Chander (Sunlight) and Ms. Manish Sharma (Zydus Cadila ).

The entire meeting was very ably presided over by Mr. Dan Navid who expressed his points of view from time to time, fielded questions and drew answers from the relevant experts. There were lots of interesting questions from all the participants. The questions and comments from the Government representatives were very encouraging and showed their interest in and commitment to this relatively new area of public health. Representatives of several pharmaceutical firms also expressed their commitment to the program and promised to give very early and positive response.

Smt. Shiela Dixit the Chief Minister of Delhi met with the IOF and ISBMR representatives in the evening. The meeting, though brief, was very encouraging. She had also sent a message, which was read out by Dr. Ambrish Mithal in the launch meeting.

A number of interviews of Dr. Jean-Yves Reginster were organized on 30 th March, 2005. These included interviews by reporters from The Hindustan Times and The Economic Times. In addition a television interview by CNBC was also conducted. This has since been aired on CNBC India.

In view of the visit of Dr. Jean-Yves Reginster and Professor Subhash Kukreja, the ISBMR utilized this opportunity to organize a CME program in the evening of 30 th March. More than 60 physicians who participated in a high quality discussion attended this CME.

FOLLOW UP COMMITMENTS RECEIVED BY THE ISBMR TO SPONSOR ITS PROPOSED ACTIVITIES

The ISBMR is pleased to report that we have received formal commitments for the following proposed activities:

ISBMR is pleased to announce ISBMR-Lilly “Young Investigator Travel Award 2005” to Dr. Rajesh Khadgawat, Assistant Professor, AIIMS Delhi and Dr. Sanjay Bhadada, Assistant Professor, PGI Chandigarh to attend European Calcified Tissues Society (ECTS) conference to be held from June 25-29 at Geneva.

The ISBMR official nominee for 14 IOF advanced Training Course in Osteoporosis at Lyon , France from 1-3 February 2005 was Dr. Rakesh K Sahay, Assistant Professor of Endocrinology, Osmania General   Hospital . In his letter to President (ISBMR) Dr Sahay described the training program very informative, comprehensive and very well organized and truly memorable. The faculty in the program was all very knowledgeable, experienced and impressive. It was truly a memorable program.