We have heard many inspirational stories, but Mrs. Radhika Patel’s journey stands out. She operates in one of the most challenging industries—pharmaceuticals. In her business, people’s lives are in her hands, and errors are not an option.
Stepping into a Legacy
Radhika Patel is the Director of West Coast Pharma, a family legacy. While her husband and father-in-law excel in business, Radhika focused on quality. She ensures every product leaving their facility is safe and effective. However, her entry into pharma wasn’t planned. “Pharma was a slip of faith,”she says.
When she joined, she realized it’s not just about making medicines. It involves precision, regulations, and documentation. “Pharma is a lot of paperwork; it’s an unimaginable amount,” she shares. Understanding this, her in-laws advised her to work in every department before leading.
Understanding Pharma from the Ground Up
“If someone says, ‘Take a brief and sit at the top,’ that’s not how it works. My in-laws’ advice was great.”
Her journey wasn’t always smooth. She often felt out of place in the technical industry. “Sometimes you feel out of place, and you have to pretend,” she admits. Through perseverance and learning, she carved her space.
Managing Challenges: COVID-19 and Beyond
West Coast Pharma exports 60-70% of its products, with 20-30% sales in India. During COVID-19, exports were halted due to government restrictions. “The government stopped exporting essential medicines due to scarcity,” she recalls. Orders were cancelled, but they supported 400 employees with food and shelter.
With high demand for sanitizers, they set up two production lines. Today, they export to over 60 countries, excluding Europe, due to strict approvals. Again, it would be approved soon.
Understanding Global Pharma Needs
Pharma needs differ across regions. In South America, women regularly take one-day contraceptive pills, unlike India. Russia and Uzbekistan have high smoking rates, leading to liver issues. “West Coast Pharma makes a lot of liver medicines,” she shares. Africa faces digestive issues, so their Sena powder-based medicine sells well. Also, they have to take enema much often. “Indians have a stronger digestive system,” she adds.
Building a Pharma Business: The Reality
Starting a pharma business is tough. “If you have a setup, join without questioning. If not, start with trading,” Radhika explains. Setting up and managing a facility is difficult, requiring expertise. West Coast Pharma was among the first Indian companies to launch a multivitamin tablet. “It was my husband’s idea,” she shares. Their brand HealthVit launched Cenvital in 2016-2017. “Cracking multivitamins is difficult—800mg tablets contain at least 20 ingredients,” she says.
Why Gummies Didn’t Work in India
Gummies are successful in the US but failed in India. “Half of the gummies are non-veg, and veg ones lack chewability,”she explains. Indian consumers see gummies as candy, not medicine, making market entry difficult.
The Dark Spot in Indian Pharma
The Indian pharma industry faced scrutiny after a cough syrup tragedy in Gambia. “One bad ingredient led to tragic consequences,” she states.
Advice to Women in Pharma
“If you have a command over language, scientific inclination, and efficiency, you can work in pharma. But if you are lazy and have a ‘je thayu joyu jase’ attitude, this isn’t for you,” Radhika says. Mistakes in pharma are unacceptable.
She finds deep gratification in her work. “Seeing a baby consume B-Folcin, knowing I made it, is a beautiful feeling.”
Future of West Coast Pharma
With 1,500+ employees and 500+ contractual workers, West Coast Pharma plans to expand into injectables and genetic engineering. “Genetic medicine tailors treatments to genes, but it’s not widespread in India yet,” she shares.
In India, doctors can’t prescribe specific brands. “They can only write the molecule name,” she explains. Despite challenges, she remains committed to growth and legacy.
Radhika Patel’s journey is a story of perseverance, learning, and innovation. She is shaping the future of West Coast Pharma while proving success in pharma requires dedication, precision, and relentless effort. For more such motivational stories keep following Gujpreneur.
