Overview On January 19 , JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysuru , hosted a stakeholder briefing under the IMPACT-VIP programme. This initiative is a collaboration between Japan and India , supported by JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) . The session focused on addressing the critical issue of medication safety for people with visual impairment in their daily lives. Key Developments Objective: To improve medication safety and independence for visually-impaired individuals. Participants: Included government officials, international partners, and representatives from the visually-impaired community. Geographic Scope: The IMPACT-VIP project surveyed individuals across Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana . Stakeholder Perspectives Dr. T. M. Pramod Kumar , Principal, JSS College of Pharmacy , highlighted the risks faced by visually-impaired patients due to medication errors, unclear labels, and inaccessible instructions. He emphasized the importance of listening to their experiences and using evidence to improve medication safety through technology and policy. Dinesh Gundu Rao , Minister of Health and Family Welfare, attended the session to understand the findings and explore how the state can support safer and more inclusive medication systems. International Collaboration Representatives from Export Japan Inc. ( Mr. Tokuhiro Arakawa and Ms. Brittany Partin ) and Deloitte Tomatu Financial Advisors ( Mr. Jotaro Sunahara and Mr. Kenta Miyamoto ) discussed how accessible information technologies can support this effort. Research and Lived Experiences JSS researchers and 13 visually impaired community members from JSSPDA shared their real-life experiences. The discussion was led by Dr. Sri Harsha Chalasani . IMPACT-VIP Project Details Survey Scope: Over 500 visually-impaired individuals were surveyed. Focus: Understanding real-world challenges in medicine use. Goal: To translate evidence into practical solutions for India’s healthcare system. UPSC Relevance This initiative is relevant to GS2 (Social Justice, Health, Government Policies and Interventions) and GS3 (Science and Technology) . It highlights the importance of inclusive healthcare policies and the role of technology in improving the lives of vulnerable populations. Important Facts The IMPACT-VIP project is a Japan-India collaboration. JICA supports the IMPACT-VIP programme. The project surveyed over 500 visually-impaired individuals. The survey covered Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana . The stakeholder briefing took place on January 19 .