The future of Indian Pharmaceuticals in the Post-COVID Era

At the peak of the crisis, over-stretched healthcare organisations are battling to save lives and control infection rates, while also protecting their frontline staff. Less prominent is the seismic impact that COVID-19 is having on the regular day-to-day operations of the pharma industry. With so much time and resources being allocated to the pandemic, every aspect of the pharma value chain from manufacturing to sales and marketing is having to adapt. The reality is that working practices across the industry may never be the same again. But as the coronavirus pandemic requires social distancing and a rapid search for a vaccine, it could finally be the trigger that forces a traditionally risk-averse industry beholden to legacy systems, regulation and compliance to fully embrace new technology. This discussion will bring perspective on real world examples of how different organizations reacted during these difficult times and how global pharma organizations are embracing the transformation to enhance the experience during this crisis.

Speakers

Anand K
Chief Executive Officer
SRL

Arvind Kukrety
Deputy Drug Controller
Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO)

Karan Singh
Managing Director
ACG

Shri Navdeep Rinwa
Joint Secretary (Policy, Medical Device, Pharma Bureau), Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers

Omar Sherief Mohammad
Managing Director
Roche Diabetes Care India

Prashant Nagre
Chief Executive Officer
Fermenta Biotech

Sanjiv Navangul
Managing Director & CEO
Bharat Serums and Vaccines

Vikas Bhadoria
Senior Partner
McKinsey & Company

Vikrant Shrotriya
Managing Director and Corporate Vice President
Novo Nordisk

Moderator
Vikas Dandekar
Editor (Pharma & Healthcare)
The Economic Times Prime

Agenda

17:00 – 17:05

Welcome & Introduction by The Economic Times

17:05 – 17:15

Keynote: The future of Indian Pharmaceuticals in the Post-COVID Era

 

Karan Singh, Managing Director and Balajikasiram S, Group Chief Digital Officer, ACG

17:15 – 18:15

A New Prescription: How COVID-19 has changed Global Healthcare and what the outbreak means for the industry?

 

At the peak of the crisis, over-stretched healthcare organisations are battling to save lives and control infection rates, while also protecting their frontline staff. Less prominent is the seismic impact that COVID-19 is having on the regular day-to-day operations of the pharma industry. With so much time and resources being allocated to the pandemic, every aspect of the pharma value chain from manufacturing to sales and marketing is having to adapt. The reality is that working practices across the industry may never be the same again. But as the coronavirus pandemic requires social distancing and a rapid search for a vaccine, it could finally be the trigger that forces a traditionally risk-averse industry beholden to legacy systems, regulation and compliance to fully embrace new technology.

Months of the pandemic! A lot has happened - from fears of raw material supply disruptions to expedited approval of repurposed medicines and now hopes pinned on vaccines. Just sometime into this ‘new normal’, it is also clear that digital tech will have a pivotal role to play in ensuring that the pharma industry continues to function to the best of its abilities, providing both healthcare practitioners (HCPs) and patients with the vital support they need. This discussion will bring perspective on real world examples of how different organizations reacted during these difficult times and how global pharma organizations are embracing the transformation to enhance the experience during this crisis:

  • Healthcare and supply chain issues that have emerged from COVID
  • Pharma’s role in India’s journey towards Atmanirbharta (Self-Reliance)
  • Leveraging digital to enhance health outcomes and patient experiences to unlock growth and maximize impact across internal and external engagements
  • Understanding the dynamics of future customer engagements – Driving a personalized customer experience 
  • What are the main ways the global Covid-19 pandemic has transformed Pharma companies’ digital strategies?
  • Championing change within the organization towards a digital future
  • Driving digital innovation capabilities through partnerships
  • What will it take to build a self-reliant ecosystem of pharma manufacturers, drug producers and healthcare providers?
  • Innovation in healthcare – telemedicine, e-pharmacy, e-consulting
  • Future Trends - Rise of nutraceutical industry; Biotech vaccines; personalization of medicine.

Featured Speakers:

  • Sanjiv Navangul, Managing Director & CEO, Bharat Serums and Vaccines
  • Navdeep Rinwa, Joint Secretary (Policy, Medical Device, Pharma Bureau), Department of Pharmaceuticals
  • Arvind Kukreti, Deputy Drug Controller, Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO)
  • Karan Singh, Managing Director, ACG Worldwide
  • Omar Sherief Mohammad, Managing Director, Roche Diabetes Care India
  • Prashant Nagre, Chief Executive Officer, Fermenta Biotech
  • Anand K, Chief Executive Officer, SRL
  • Vikas Bhadoria, Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company
  • Vikrant Shrotriya, Managing Director and Corporate Vice President, Novo Nordisk

Panel Moderator:

  • Vikas Dandekar, Editor – Pharma & Healthcare – The Economic Times

18:15 – 18:25

Interactive Q&A with Audience

18:25 - 18:30

Closing Remarks

Anand has over 25 years of robust work experience in the healthcare industry specialising in Diagnostics and Laboratory services in India, South Asia, Africa and Middle East. He comes with deep subject knowledge of diagnostics and healthcare industry, combined with strong business acumen, allowing him to view business with a wider lens then narrow it down to connect the dots, identify business drivers, understand complex issues, take actions and drive results. Anand is currently the CEO of India’s leading diagnostic chain that is spread across 600+ Cities, 30 States and Union Territories. He joined SRL from Apollo Hospitals Group where he was the CEO of their Diagnostic Business Unit of AHLL, based at Hyderabad. Anand is a talented and gifter leader with extensive experience in leading Diagnostics Companies, including Neuberg Diagnostics, Metropolis, and others.

He has handled various portfolios covering Operations, Sales, Network / Channel development and management, Marketing, Strategic Business Development, Greenfield projects including international, M&A – domestic and international, Hospital lab management contracts, PPP, P&L responsibilities, integration & change management and partner development.

Anand earned his Graduate degree in Medical Lab Technology from JIPMER Medical College, Pondicherry with a major in Marketing from IIAM, Mumbai. He has also completed an Executive Program in Strategic management from IIM, Ahmedabad.

Anand is actively involved in various industry forums in India and abroad as a speaker or panelist.

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Arvind Kukrety is working as Deputy Drugs Controller India in Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation Baddi, Himachal Pradesh since 2020. Baddi office has jurisdiction over Himachal Pradesh, Panjab and Chandigarh UT. He is postgraduate in Pharmacy from Jamia Hamdard University.

Mr Kukreti has got about 29 years of experience in the field of manufacturing and regulation of drugs. He joined CDSCO in 1998. He worked in North Zone, Ahmedabad Zone and CDSCO HQs in various capacities. In HQ he worked in Import Registration, Global Clinical Trial, New Drugs and Biological divisions.

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Karan Singh is the Managing Director of ACG, a future-ready solutions provider to the pharma industry.

In recent years, Karan has steered ACG from an Indian business into a world- renowned institution. Working with 60 of the top 100 global pharmaceutical and nutraceutical giants,

Karan has been a leading proponent of adopting new technologies to help provide quality, safe and affordable medicines as well as to optimize and secure supply chain.

Passionate about converting ideas into growth opportunities, Karan takes a keen interest in creating entrepreneurial visions that solve real world challenges. He is an investor and mentor to 30+ health-tech start-ups guiding strategy, technology, expertise, and network.

Years of playing basketball as a point-guard, drives his leadership, communication, and competitive spirit. This drive has also given birth to ACG-NBA Jump – a grassroots program that nurtures basketballers from India on global platforms. Karan serves on the ‘India Advisory Board’ for India-Brazil Chamber of Commerce and is the Co-Chair for FICCI LAC Regional Council.

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Shri Navdeep Rinwa holds a B. Tech degree in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT Kanpur. He joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in the year 1999 and belongs to Uttar Pradesh Cadre of IAS.

He has served as District Magistrate and Collector in 6 districts of Uttar Pradesh. He has worked as Special Secretary to Government of Uttar Pradesh in various Departments such as Rural Development, Public Works Department, Higher Education Department, Trade Tax & Entertainment Tax Department, Lucknow and Managing Director, Western U.P. Power Distribution Company, Meerut. Prior to joining the Department of Pharmaceuticals in March, 2018, he worked as Private Secretary to Minister of Culture and Tourism, Government of India (September 2014 – November 2014), Private Secretary to Minister of AYUSH, Government of India (November 2014 – August 2016) and Joint Secretary, Department of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India (August 2016 – March 2018). In the Department of Pharmaceuticals, he is looking after Pharmaceuticals Policy and Medical Devices.

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Omar Sherief Mohammad is the Managing Director for Roche Diabetes Care India Pvt. Ltd at Mumbai an affiliate company of Roche Group based at Basel, Switzerland marketing various Diagnostic Instruments and products in India to hospitals and laboratories.

Omar has over 20 years of strong sales, marketing, projects and General Management experience across various products & services. Omar has been a hardcore marketing professional and is result driven management executive with multifaceted experience in managing sales, marketing and people.

Omar’s vision is to “Bring in true relief to patients” and is very keen on looking into patients need in healthcare.

At Roche Diabetes Care, Omar leads a team of 250+ with complete P&L responsibility for a high-growth in Diabetes Care covering all India regions. He is also a core member of Roche Diabetes Region International Leadership Team and a board member of the India Roche Diabetes Care.

Omar’s motto is Don’t tell the world what you can do —- JUST DO IT!!!

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AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Under Prashant’s leadership, Fermenta won the prestigious India Pharma Awards – 2018 for three categories. Fermenta is proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work® for two consecutive years. It has also been recognized on a global platform as a finalist in the category of Excellence in API Development for the CPhI Pharma Awards 2020. Prashant has bagged various accolades on an individual level, which includes the Pride of Maharashtra Award 2018 for Best CEO of the Year in the category Manufacturing – Pharmaceuticals. He has also been nominated as a finalist for the CEO of the Year award in CPhI Pharma Awards 2020, being the only Indian to achieve this feat.

ZEST FOR LEARNING

With over 28 years of experience, he is a Gold Medalist Post Graduate Diploma holder in International Trade (IIFT, New Delhi) besides possessing a Master’s degree in Management Sciences and a Degree in Pharmacy. Prashant is an active Rotarian and is associated with various bodies viz. SME Chamber of India. In light of the pandemic, he undertook a Meta-Leadership training conducted by the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, in partnership with The Economic Times India Leadership Council. Prashant continues to contribute to the industry by regularly participating in CEO roundtables and other leadership forums.

PERSONAL LIFE

Prashant has travelled across the globe, and is a voracious reader as well as an avid photographer. He lives in Thane with his wife, Smita, and their son, Vedang, is a recent Chemical Engineering graduate.

PHILOSOPHY

The World Health Organization estimates that more than 2 billion people worldwide suffer from hidden hunger. Each day, Prashant’s efforts begin and end with the sole purpose of eliminating this statistic by waging a war on micronutrient deficiency. As the CEO of Fermenta Biotech Limited, his vision provides a blueprint for the corporate strategy, even as the company aims to drive its performance by being a supplier of value-added nutritional ingredients.

Prashant’s outlook of “Health” and “Hygiene” are the twin mottos that drive Fermenta’s business – be it for its flagship product, Vitamin D, or integrated biotechnology solutions including enzyme platforms or environmental solutions for managing and treating waste water. Prashant’s singular focus on nutrition now fuels the company’s hunger for growth by adding new ingredients to its basket of offerings.

ACHIEVEMENTS AT FERMENTA

During Prashant’s tenure of more than a decade, Fermenta has expanded from a solely domesticfocused business to a global company, with more than 70% of revenues now arising from exports. Recently, he has overseen the establishment of two international subsidiaries and spearheaded the merger of Fermenta with its parent company. Fermenta’s Corporate Social Responsibility activities also remain close to his heart. Prashant delights in driving sustainable business growth inclusive of communities.

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Sanjiv Navangul has led a host of global pharmaceutical companies to operational success. His mentorship and contribution towards a values-based culture is widely acknowledged by business leaders. Mr. Navangul has served on the board of Johnson & Johnson Pvt Ltd. India, and Fulford India. Mr. Navangul has held several leadership roles through his 30 year career such as Managing Director for Janssen (Pharmaceutical Division of Johnson & Johnson) in India and South Asia; Managing Director for MSD Pharmaceuticals, Philippines; Commercial Director for MSD India and South Asia.

A recipient of several industry awards on Public Health, Marketing and Diversity, Mr. Navangul has also served as the Vice President of OPPI (Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India) from 2014 to 2019, Chairman of AMCHAM Pharma committee (American Chamber of Commerce) from 2016 to 2019 and Chairman, Medical and Regulatory Committee from 2016 to 2019. He has been on the Academic Board of NMMIS Pharma management, IES Management school and IIHMR, Jaipur.

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Vikas is a senior partner in McKinsey’s Delhi office. He plays an active part in initiatives to grow India’s pharmaceutical sector, contributing to knowledge creation and policy development. He speaks frequently at key industry forums, including the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA), and the Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI). Since joining McKinsey in 2000, Vikas has worked in India, China, Japan, Russia, Brazil, Middle East, North America, United Kingdom, Germany, and Southeast Asia, serving clients in the pharmaceutical and medical products sector.

He has assisted Indian pharma companies in driving strong growth and building global businesses through strategic expansion and partnerships across the world. He has also helped them in multi-year operations transformation journeys including profit improvement, lean transformation, quality excellence, remediation management, shop floor culture change, and capability building. He has strong expertise in driving at scale capability building and leadership development.

On the global front, he has worked with multi-national pharmaceutical companies to build strong emerging market strategies and also shape their global sourcing and resourcing agenda. His recent work includes supporting a global pharma company on their growth strategy including business building in Greater China, Japan, Korea, southeast Asia, Middle East, and Latin America. He has helped shape global resourcing journeys including partner evaluation and selection, setting up the local organisation, governance framework, and risk-mitigation. He has also supported India sourcing engagements (APIs, intermediates, and formulations) for international pharma companies, distributors, and retailers.

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Vikrant Shrotriya is the Managing Director & Corporate Vice President for Novo Nordisk’s India business. He is based in Bengaluru.

Vikrant has a distinguished career spanning over 20 years in the healthcare industry, in India and internationally. He has studied at Delhi University and Symbiosis Institute of International Business (SIIB), Pune and has worked in many national and international organisations in India, South East Asia and more recently in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries where he was VicePresident for Novo Nordisk’s GCC business and Corporate Vice President for Saudi Arabia.

Vikrant has been honoured with several accolades throughout his career. Most recently, he received one of the highest awards from the Danish Government – “His Royal Highness Prince Henrik’s Medal of Excellence” – in recognition for his outstanding contribution to business and trade.

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Vikas Dandekar is the Editor for pharma and healthcare at ET Prime, The Times Group’s website for deeply insightful, analytical and investigative business and corporate stories. Vikas has worked across media format from The Economic Times newspaper, CNBC TV18, Reed Elsevier Business Intelligence and Indian Express spanning 23 years in journalism.

In this period, he has touched most segments of the healthcare and devices paradigm ranging from health policies, research and development, mergers and acquisitions, access to medicines and early-stage start-ups.

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