Dr Bijoy Varma, born in Patna in 1938) did his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree with Distinction from Bihar University, India in 1957. He passed Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S ) with Honours in Pharmacology and Surgery from Darbhanga Medical College (University of Bihar) in 1962. He was awarded University Gold Medal for securing highest aggregate marks in the University. After completing his House Physician (currently called internship) and Senior House Physician job, Dr Varma joined Prince of Wales Medical College in 1963 as a Demonstrator in Pharmacology and Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) candidate. He had the priviledge to work with Emeritus Professor Govind Achari.

In 1968, Dr Varma was awarded International Fellowship by International Union of Pharmacology to work with Prof. M. J. Rand in Melbourne. He arrived in Australia in September 1968. His wife Jyotima joined him in October 1968. He was offered job of a Medical Officer Class 2 in Drug Evaluation Branch, Therapeutic Division of Department of Health in Canberra that he in January 1972. Later that year, he was awarded Ph D in Pharmacology by University of Melbourne after 2 1/2 of part time study.

In September 1976, Dr Varma was promoted as Medical Officer Class 3. In October 1980, he was further promoted to Medical Officer Class 4 (also called Medical Services Adviser Class 1). His major area of responsibility was related to evaluation of quality, safety and efficacy of cardio-vascular, anti arthritic,and some renal drugs. He also chaired clinical trial meeting on new drugs under development. After the passage of Therapeutic Goods Act in 1989, Dr Varma was promoted to Medical Officer Class 5 (Medical Services Adviser Class 2) and headed Evaluation Unit 3, Drug Safety and Evaluation Branch at the newly formed ‘Therapeutic Goods Administration’. He was also appointed delegate of the Secretary with responsibilities to implement various aspects of The Therapeutic Goods act (e. g. approve new drugs or to withdraw already marketed drugs). During his tenure, he was closely involved with Medical Profession, Pharmaceutical Industries, and general public in matters of safe and effective use of drugs handled in the Unit.

Dr Varma was invited by several International bodies to join expert panel to formulate drug development guidelines. In June 1990 , he joined the working group at International Society for Rheumatic Drug Development (ISRT ) – London, took part in further working group meetings in 1994 and attended the meeting to finalise the guidelines at Scottsdale, Arizona in 1995. The same year, he was invited by the ‘Indian Pharmacological Society’ to deliver G. Achari Memorial Oration at their 28th Annual Conference at Patiala (Punjab).

After working with the Department of Health / Therapeutic Goods Administration for 27 years (1972 to 1999) and roughly three years (1968 to 1971) with University of Melbourne, Dr Varma retired from service in June 1999.

Dr Varma and his family lived in Canberra from 1972 to present day. He has been active member of India Australia Association of Canberra, Bihar Jharkand Sabha of Australia and New Zealand, Indian Senior Citizen Association over the years.

Dr Varma and Jyotima have three children and seven grand children. All three children were born in India but got educated and started jobs in Australia and are well settled.

While India has been our janm bhumi, Australia has been our karm bhumi. We will be completing 55 years of living in Australia and 50 years in Canberra this year. We feel happy to be part of Indian Community in Canberra and the Bihar Jharkhand Medical Association.