Chandigarh Calling!

The Indian pharma industry is in the midst of a paradigm shift from volume-based to value-driven strategies. Recognising the significance of this transition, Express Pharma is organising a series of “Pharma Summits” across the country’s key pharma centers. These events are strategically designed to unlock new opportunities and navigate the intricacies of this evolving landscape. From cost and competitive pressures to cutting-edge scientific advancements and digital innovations, the summits examine factors driving value in the pharma ecosystem.

The latest in this series, Chandigarh Pharma Summit 2023 was successfully hosted by Express Pharma recently. Under the theme, “Volume to Value Leadership: Opportunities and Challenges for India Pharma Inc”, it provided a platform for industry leaders and game changers to converge and engage in an exchange of ideas, insights, and experiences pertaining to the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the pharma sector. It also showcased why Chandigarh, with a conducive business climate, access to skilled manpower, and good infrastructure, presents an opportunity for pharma companies to expand their horizons.

In this article, we delve into the highlights of the Chandigarh Pharma Summit 2023, and showcase the key takeaways and insights from the presentations and discussions at the event.

Leaders must be open to embracing change

Chandigarh Pharma Summit 2023 commenced with a very impactful inaugural address by Dr Sanjit Singh Lamba, Managing Partner, Trillyum Consulting and Advisory.

His address shed light on the immense growth potential of India Pharma Inc and emphasised India’s crucial role in the pharmerging markets. To harness this potential effectively, Dr. Lamba stressed the importance of a value-driven approach, which can be achieved through strategic investments, key collaborations, intellectual property creation, and a patient-centric focus.

Dr Lamba also spoke on the significance of a quality-oriented approach, substantial investments in research and development, and fostering an innovation-driven mindset for sustained progress in this industry. He also highlighted the importance of building health infrastructure, skill development, regulatory compliance, diversifying product portfolios to mitigate risks, and promoting training and awareness programmes.

A key message from his address was that leaders need to be open to change and perceive disruptions as opportunities for growth, rather than obstacles. Dr Lamba also advocated the need to instill a culture of continuous learning within organisations to adapt successfully in an ever-changing business landscape.

The central take away from his session was that transformation of Indian pharma companies from a volume-driven approach to value-driven progress requires focus on quality, innovation, collaboration, and specialisation.

Dr Lamba’s insights provided guidance for India Pharma Inc’s continued success and leadership in the global pharma market.

Regulatory compliance is crucial for India Pharma Inc’s reputation

Dr Rajesh Gupta, All India Head-Pharma of Laghu Udyog Bharati and President of the Himachal Drugs Manufacturers Association, delivered a compelling keynote address at the Chandigarh Pharma Summit 2023, offering valuable insights from the regulatory perspective.

In his address, Dr Gupta highlighted the regulatory challenges faced by the pharma industry and emphasised that regulatory compliance plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and efficacy of pharma products. Proper documentation and effective data management were underscored as essential elements in building and sustaining a culture of quality and compliance within the industry.

The session shed light on how disparities in manufacturing practices and varying quality standards, coupled with ineffective documentation and lack of transparency in communication, were hindering the industry’s growth. To overcome these hurdles, Dr Gupta advised leaders to collaborate closely with regulatory authorities and proactively address compliance issues. He accentuated that this approach is crucial to maintain trust and credibility among stakeholders.

During the address, Dr. Gupta also brought attention to the issue of non-standard quality (NSQ) products, which have been negatively impacting the industry’s global standing. He stressed that regulatory compliance, transparent communication, and strict adherence to guidelines are vital to uphold India Pharma Inc’s reputation in the international arena.

Dr Gupta’s address served as a reminder for leaders to take proactive measures in aligning with regulations and fostering a culture of quality and transparency to drive the industry’s progress and success.

Quality should be a top leadership priority

Dr Prahalad Singh Maan, Global QMS & Quality Compliance Director at Reckitt, delved into the crucial topic of nurturing quality leadership amidst disruption. Participants gained valuable insights on tackling challenges posed by disruptions and honing effective leadership to elevate quality standards in their organisations.

He pointed out that in today’s fast-changing world, technological advancements have empowered consumers like never before, granting instant access to expert data with a single click. Consequently, early warning systems play a pivotal role in promptly addressing quality issues, enabling organisations to remain responsive and proactive.

Maan’s session also underscored that repeated disruptions can erode the culture of quality in organisations due to shifting priorities, rapid changes, and evolving expectations. To counteract this, quality should be an utmost leadership priority, integrated into every facet of decision-making and actions.

A key takeaway from his session was the significance of leaders “walking the talk” on quality, setting powerful examples for their teams and fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. Leaders should also prioritise evaluating and recognising employees’ contributions to quality, reinforcing their commitment to maintaining high standards.

Regulatory compliance is an ongoing process that requires vigilance and continuous improvement

Girraj Tripathi, Sr GM, and Site Quality Head at Sun Pharma shed light on the evolving regulatory landscape, stressing the importance of proactive compliance measures. Leaders must prioritise adherence to guidelines, transparent communication with regulatory bodies, and continuous improvement to ensure product safety and efficacy while staying ahead of changing regulations.

The session addressed the regulatory challenges faced by the pharma industry, including evolving guidelines, complex approval processes, and global variations in regulations. Collaboration between industry stakeholders, proactive compliance strategies, and leveraging technology for streamlined regulatory submissions and tracking can help overcome these challenges.

Tripathi emphasised the crucial role of management and leaders in maintaining product quality, compliance, and fostering a culture of excellence. Data integrity and reliability were highlighted as critical aspects, requiring proper protocols, training, and oversight to safeguard accurate information within organizations. The session also emphasised the importance of embracing technological advancements, regulatory harmonization, and promoting cooperation among regulatory bodies.

Continuous improvement and updating regulatory agencies based on quality matrices are pivotal in facilitating Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). The key message conveyed was that the industry must adopt a proactive approach to keep pace with evolving regulatory requirements, and process automation can greatly aid in streamlining compliance efforts.

Embracing innovation in pharma packaging is vital become future

Shivaji Chakraborty, Asst. General Manager, Fresenius Kabi Oncology spoke on the topic, ‘Shaping the new normal of pharma packaging’, which focused on the evolving trends and advancements in pharma packaging.

He identified and elaborated on factors driving the evolution of pharma packaging, including changes in consumer behavior, shifting market dynamics, aging population, inclusive packaging to cater to diverse demographics, and a growing focus on sustainability. He emphasised that pharma packaging has undergone significant changes to align with shifting market dynamics, and serves various key functions including protection, containment, branding, brand protection and sustainability.

He concluded the session by informing the audience that the future of pharma will be characterised by tamper-evident features, authentication measures, and improved communication with consumers. It will also serve as a reminder to promote medication adherence and emphasise sustainability through eco-friendly materials and practices.

An important message from his session was that innovative pharma packaging can meet the changing needs of the industry. Creative packaging solutions can enhance product safety, extend shelf life and improve patient experience.

Blurb: Tamper evidence, inclusivity, sustainability, patient-centricity and authentication will be some of the trends that will drive growth in pharma packaging.

Charting the path to progress

The Summit provided valuable insights and learnings on various pivotal topics ranging from regulatory compliance and manufacturing capabilities to product solutions and quality leadership. During the summit, industry professionals exchanged ideas, addressed regulatory hurdles, and explored innovative breakthroughs. Each session highlighted critical aspects for success in the industry. It also showcased the sector’s potential for growth by embracing value-driven strategies over volume-based approaches. These takeaways can help leaders navigate through challenges, embrace change, and position their organisations for success in the dynamic pharma landscape. It is to be hoped that the event will spur more efforts toward a future defined by value-driven leadership with a focus on research, innovation, and strategic collaborations.

Mark your calendars for the next ‘Pharma Summit’ by Express Pharma. It will be held on August 25, 2023, in Indore. Leaders will come together again to ensure that India Pharma Inc remains at the forefront of innovation and manufacturing excellence. Stay tuned for more updates!