At the recently held Pharma Leadership & Innovation (PLI) Conclave 2025, in Mumbai, a panel discussion titled “Rewriting the Pharma Playbook: Safer, Smarter, Sustainable” brought together industry leaders to discuss how technology, sustainability, and strategic collaboration are reshaping the Indian pharma landscape.
Moderated by Venkatanarayan V, VP & Digital Transformation Leader, GMO, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, the panel featured key figures from across the sector. The panellists included; Rajesh Mishra, Director of Packaging Development, Abbott Healthcare; Satya Chandrasekhar, Head of Corporate Quality Assurance at Reliance Life Sciences; Pramod S Pandit, Senior VP & Head of Commercial, Ajanta Pharma; Kaifeel Shaikh, VP, Domestic Distribution and Global Logistics – EXIM, Indoco Remedies; and Mannan Khambati, VP, Bharat Serums and Vaccines.
The discussion opened by highlighting the need for the Indian pharma industry to adopt safer, smarter, and more sustainable practices to stay competitive and future-ready. Panellists emphasised that embracing automation could help eliminate repetitive tasks, allowing professionals to focus on higher-value activities, thereby boosting both engagement and productivity.
Building on this foundation, the conversation moved to the benefits of digital transformation. The panel pointed out how other industries have successfully leveraged digital technologies to enhance productivity, urging the pharma sector to adopt similar strategies to stay relevant in an increasingly dynamic global market.
The focus then shifted to packaging innovations, with panellists noting how technology is simplifying traditionally product-centric processes. This shift is helping to reduce operational layers while improving product stability and safety.
From packaging, the conversation moved to quality control. The panel discussed how digitalisation is reshaping Quality Assurance (QA), with digital parametric testing seen as a potential replacement for conventional methods in the future. However, they also highlighted the ongoing importance of human insights in both QA and QC, to maintain productivity and accuracy.
Logistics transformation was another key area of focus. The panellists discussed the shift toward larger, smarter warehouses, noting that despite technological advances, the core challenge remains ensuring timely and accurate product delivery while meeting strict regulatory standards.
The panel also highlighted how the industry is beginning to adopt a distribution model similar to that of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), aiming to streamline processes without compromising patient-centric care.
When discussing the complexities of biotech manufacturing, industry leaders acknowledged challenges such as high costs, lengthy processes, and stringent regulatory requirements. However, they noted that integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies could enhance efficiency and promote sustainability within the sector.
Expanding the discussion to global competitiveness, experts recognised India’s technological capabilities and cost advantages. However, they stressed that maintaining world-class quality standards is essential for the country to secure a leadership position on the global stage.
Balancing affordability, safety, and quality emerged as another central theme. The panel underscored that affordability should never come at the expense of patient safety or product quality.
This perspective aligns with the Triple P framework—pharma, patient, and planet—which seeks to balance commercial success with patient welfare and environmental responsibility. The conversation also explored the role of digitalisation in improving visibility across manufacturing processes.
Panellists highlighted benefits such as enhanced tracking, simplified management, and stronger supplier relationships through more efficient vendor inventory systems.
Collaboration across different functions was identified as a key driver for the future growth of the industry. The panel agreed that fostering interdepartmental cooperation will be essential to shaping the next phase of evolution in the pharmaceutical sector.
The discussion concluded with a focus on profitability through innovation. The panellists stressed that financial success should be a natural outcome of advancements in technology and research, rather than reliance on material gains. The session underscored that the future of the Indian pharma industry lies in embracing digital transformation, fostering innovation, and maintaining a focus on sustainability while ensuring patient safety and affordability.