Prof.Mansoor Ahmed selected as President-elect
KARACHI: Prof. Feroz Memon Vice Chancellor of Modern Sciences University and Principal of Indus Medical College Tando Mohammad Khan assumed the office of President of Pakistan Aspirin Foundation on October 27th 2024 after the completion of tenure of Prof.Shahbaz Kureshi. Prof. Mansoor Ahmad consultant cardiologist from Karachi was selected as the President-elect. The Foundation has a democratic set up and all office bearers are elected unanimously. As per the decision taken in the first meeting held in 1995, all the founder as well as senior members are given a chance to contribute and the President is also elected from different provinces by rotation.
Prof. Abdus Samad alongwith Mr. Akhtar and Kashif Riaz from Atco (sponsors of CME activities) presenting a gift to outgoing President of Pakistan Aspirin Foundation Prof. Shahbaz Kureshi and flower Bouquet to incoming President Prof. Feroz Memon at meeting held on November 6th at Karachi.
The meeting held at a local hotel was chaired by Prof. Shahbaz Kureshi the outgoing President. It was attended by Prof. M. Akbar Chaudhry and Prof. Javed Akram both former Presidents of the foundation who specially flew from Lahore to participate in the meeting. Others who graced the occasion with their presence included Prof.Abdul Samad and Prof. M. Ishaq both former Presidents, Prof. Masood Hameed former Vice Chancellor of Dow University of Health Sciences, Prof. Khalida Soomro former President of Pakistan Cardiac Society, Prof. A Rasheed Khan former Secretary Pakistan Hypertension League, Prof. Badar Fayaz Zuberi consultant gastroenterologist former Prof. of Medicine from Dow University of Health Sciences, Dr. Syed Riazul Hassan consultant physician from Qatar Hospital, Prof. Musarrat Riaz Prof. of Endocrinology at National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology Ojha Campus of Dow University of Medical Sciences besides Prof.Feroz Memon and Mr. Shaukat Ali Jawaid General Secretary of the Foundation.
Prof. Masood Hameed Khan suggested that we should form a Research and Scientific Committee which should meet frequently and plan scientific programme. Prof. Abdus Samad opined that the book on Aspirin- the Wonder Drug published by Pakistan Aspirin Foundation many years ago should be revised. Similarly, Guidelines on the use of Aspirin also needs to be revised as now numerous new studies have come particularly on primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Mr. Shaukat Ali Jawaid pointed out that in the earlier Guidelines Prof. Jahan Ara Ainuddin had written the chapter related to the use of Aspirin in obstetrics and Gynaecology which was later endorsed by obstetricians & gynaecologists at meeting held at Lahore, Peshawar and Rawalpindi-Islamabad. Prof. Naseem Karim Prof. of Pharmacology at Baharia University Medical & Dental College had revised the chapter related to Pharmacokinetics of Aspirin and its mechanism of action. Prof. Musarrat Riaz had contributed in the chapter related to use of Aspirin in Diabetes Mellitus and we are extremely grateful to all of them. He also suggested that the members should elect a new General Secretary and he will continue to work as before.
Pakistan Aspirin Foundation held its core committee meeting at Karachi on October 6th 2024. Group photograph taken on the occasion shows the participants. Sitting in the front row are from (L to R) Prof. Masood Hameed, Prof. Feroz Memon (President), Prof. Shahbaz Kureshi, Prof. Abdus Samad, Prof. M. Akbar Chaudhry, Prof. M. Ishaq. Standing in second row include Mr. Akhtar from Atco, Prof. Musarrat Riaz, Prof. Khalida Soomro, Shaukat Ali Jawaid, Prof. Rasheed Khan, Prof. Bader Fayaz Zuberi, Mr. Kashif Riaz from Atco, Prof. Javed Akram, Dr. Syed Riazul Hassan and Mr. Sajjad from Atco.
Prof. Javed Akram was of the view that we are working at a very slow pace which is also due to the Covid19 Pandemic which slowed down all academic activities. We need to be globally active and collaborate with other Aspirin Foundations functioning in USA, Europe and South Africa. Some of our members should try to attend their meetings and improve our networking. With collaboration we can learn and accomplish a lot. PSIM is organizing its Internaitonal conference in Karachi next year and we can invite some renowned researcher who has done some work on Aspirin to this meeting. Efforts will be made to revive the A4P study for which lot of initial work was done prior to Covid. This project will last about five years and we intend to enroll twenty-nine thousand patients from all over the country.
It was also decided that efforts should be made to enroll new members particularly from the younger generation of healthcare professionals who are interested. Members were asked to identify and help in their enrollment. It was also decided to continue organizing Aspirin Update sessions in collaboration with various professional specialty organizations provided they do not demand any donation. Small group meeting which are organized in different cities of various provinces should be continued and an effort should be made to cover those areas which we have not yet visited particularly in the interior of Sindh, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.
Prof.Akbar Chaudhry remarked that when we started our activities, there was very little awareness about the use of Aspirin but over the years due to our CME programmes the use of Aspirin in its well established indications has increased. He also emphasized the importance of generating local data. Prof. Ishaq suggested that we should organize annual meeting and if that is not possible at least after two years. Mr. Shaukat Ali Jawaid pointed out that we do hold our national conferences after couple of years in which all the pharmaceutical firms are invited to participate. We follow professional ethics and at every meeting we organize, it is announced that Pakistan Aspirin Foundation does not promote any particular company or brand name though we are grateful to M/s Atco Laboratories for sponsoring our CME programmes for the last many years.
It was also stated that ever since its inception, the Foundation has never allowed the sponsors to interfere in planning its scientific programme which is decided by the members. Prof.Ishaq said that we have discussed a very long list but let us take up a few things first and start implementing them gradually. Prof. Badar Fayaz Zuberi opined that we need to do post PCI studies on the use of Aspirin and look for the risk of bleeding if any. Mr. Shaukat Ali Jawaid stated that Dr. Yasir Khan from CPE Institute of Cardiology has done a study on the use of Aspirin immediately after CABG and after six days and it was safe. Hence safety profile of Aspirin is well established.
Dr. Syed Riazul Hassan stated that we need to generate local data. Different hospitals in the same city are using different guidelines. We need to have country specific guidelines. It is possible to organize a CME programme at periphery hospitals in Karachi and Qatar Hospital which is also a postgraduate training center can host such a meeting in which apart from physician, cardiologist, obstetricians & gynaecologists can be invited.
Prof.Rashid Khan stated that despite its well established safety and efficacy, Aspirin was still under used in Pakistan. We need to create much more awareness about its use. CME programmes specially focused on Neurology and Obstetrics & Gynaecology should be organized. It was also pointed out that the Foundation tries to introduce new speakers at almost every conference and preference is given to the specialists from those particular areas. Prof. Khalida Soomro opined that organizing an annual meeting may not be feasible as it is very expensive. However, we do need to visit various districts all over the country to create awareness about the safety and efficacy of Aspirin.
Prof. Musarrat Riaz thanked for inviting her to the meeting and pointed out that she had contributed to the guidelines looking at the use of Aspirin in Diabetes. In the past it was said that every patient suffering from diabetes should be put on Aspirin therapy but now the recommendation is that only those with some risk factors or high risk cases without any contraindications should be put on regular low dose Aspirin Therapy.
Prof. Shahbaz Kureshi the outgoing President in his speech thanked the member for the trust they had in him and despite the law and order situation in the country we did regularly organize Aspirin Update Sessions at various conferences which were very well attended. Prof. Feroz Memon thanked all those present and hoped that with their help and cooperation he will try to promote the aims and objectives of Pakistan Aspirin Foundation. We have discussed a lengthy agenda and he will try to constitute the Research and Scientific committee besides undertaking to revise the Aspirin book with the help and assistance of all the colleagues. We will remain in touch and move forward. Prof. Mansoor Ahmad also briefly addressed the meeting and thanked the members for the honour which they have bestowed on him. He was conveyed this a few months ago as discussions on new office bearers were going on among the core committee members. I will try to come up to your expectations, he remarked.
