The field of pharmaceuticals has transformed significantly over time, evolving from ancient herbal remedies to a complex global industry that greatly influences healthcare. This evolution has been essential in managing diseases and improving health outcomes around the world. The Indian pharmaceutical industry is a key player in this landscape, recognized as one of the largest producers of generic drugs globally. It plays a crucial role in global health by offering affordable medications, enhancing access to essential treatments, and fostering innovation in drug development.
Salud Care (India) Limited, under the leadership of Director Nilesh Dudhwewala, has become one of the prominent pharmaceutical companies in India. Salud is committed to raising healthcare standards and is focused on illness prevention, which has increased the importance of pharmaceuticals among consumers and boosted sales over the years. Over the past 15 years, Salud has grown from a small business into one of the fastest-growing pharmaceutical companies in the industry.
Committed to Global Health and Quality
The word “Salud,” which means “Health” in Spanish, perfectly represents the mission of Salud Care. Since 2006, Salud Care has been providing contract manufacturing services to the pharmaceutical industry, initially focusing on the domestic market. Over time, with continuous improvements in its manufacturing facilities, the company now meets global PICS standards and aims to offer healthcare services to the entire global market.
Currently, Salud Care manufactures over 950 drug combinations, with a ready Certificate of Pharmaceutical Product (COPP) list for more than 220 combinations. This extensive product range allows Salud Care to serve multiple therapeutic areas. The company’s primary strengths lie in its cardiovascular, anti-diabetic, and dermatological products. With quality as a core principle, Salud guarantees 100% efficacy and ensures that its products meet the highest international standards.
State-of-the-Art Manufacturing
Salud Care operates its manufacturing facility in Roorkee, located in the northern state of Uttarakhand. The site covers an area of 14,000 square meters, with a construction area exceeding 4,000 square meters across three floors. The total floor area of the plant is over 9,500 square meters.
The facility includes a GLP-approved testing lab that occupies 1,200 square meters and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including:
- HPLC with Autosampler
- Stability Chambers
- Microbiology Section
- Spectrophotometers
- Dissolution Analysis Equipment
Production Sections:
- Tablets (PIC/s & WHO: GMP certified)
- Capsules (PIC/s & WHO: GMP certified)
- Liquids (PIC/s & WHO: GMP certified)
- Ointments (PIC/s & WHO: GMP certified)
- Dry Powder (PIC/s & WHO: GMP certified)
- Nasal Sprays & Drops (PIC/s & WHO: GMP certified)
Production Capacity (Daily):
- Tablets: 5,000,000
- Liquids: 100,000 bottles
- Nasal Sprays & Drops: 20,000 bottles
- Capsules: 500,000
- Ointments: 200,000 tubes
- Dry Powder: 900 kg
Prioritizing Quality in Pharmaceuticals
“We are in an industry that is an essential part of people’s lives. People trust our industry when they or their families face health issues, and it is our responsibility to ensure we live up to that trust,” says Mr. Nilesh.
Hence, the management and the team at Salud are committed to never compromising on quality. From sourcing the best ingredients to regularly training and updating the quality control team, and ensuring that every product undergoes strict testing procedures, Salud has established a strong reputation as a provider of high-quality pharmaceutical products.
Commitment to R&D
Salud Care (India) Limited ensures product innovation and maintains high-quality standards in a competitive and ever-changing market by having a dedicated Research and Development (R&D) facility and team. This team focuses on keeping the company’s offerings current by developing new products, release patterns, and delivery forms. Salud Care is recognized as one of the best manufacturers of bi-layered tablets, as well as controlled-release and extended-release tablets.
Insights from the Director of Salud Care
From Family Business to New Beginnings
Mr. Nilesh’s father owned a pharmaceutical distribution business. While Mr. Nilesh was pursuing his graduation, he and his brother, Mr. Manish, decided they wanted to take the business to the next level by starting their own pharmaceutical company. This vision led to the founding of Salud Care in 2003.
After graduation, Mr. Nilesh earned a postgraduate degree in marketing, while his brother managed the business and established their first manufacturing unit in Roorkee. Once he finished his studies, Mr. Nilesh joined his brother as the Director of Salud. Together, they began their journey to further grow and expand Salud Care.
The Approach to Success
As a graduate in commerce and marketing, Mr. Nilesh acknowledges that he lacks knowledge about formulating or manufacturing pharmaceuticals. From the beginning, he understood that to succeed in this industry, it was essential to build a strong team for manufacturing and marketing. The company has consistently sought out the best talent from the industry while also developing its in-house management team. Mr. Nilesh firmly believes in trusting and empowering their employees with key decision-making responsibilities.
Transforming Quality
One of the most significant transformations Mr. Nilesh has led at Salud Care is the development and continuous improvement of its manufacturing plant. The plant was originally designed to comply with Schedule M regulations, and over time, it has been upgraded to meet even stricter quality standards. In 2013, Salud Care received certification from WHO: GMP, and in 2021, it achieved the more rigorous PICs certification. Mr. Nilesh is proud to state that, to date, their plant has successfully passed all inspections by regulatory authorities without any failures. These transformations have greatly contributed to the company’s growth and strengthened its market position.
New Partnership in Nutraceuticals
Currently, Salud Care has formed a partnership with Stella Lifecare to enter the nutraceuticals segment and establish a nutraceuticals manufacturing unit in Ahmedabad. Additionally, the company plans to expand its manufacturing capabilities for pharmaceutical tablets and capsules by adding another manufacturing block at its facility in Roorkee.
Proactive Approach to Compliance
Salud Care takes a proactive approach to regulatory challenges rather than a reactive one. The company closely monitors regulatory changes by having dedicated regulatory teams that continuously communicate with local and international agencies. Regular internal audits, strong standard operating procedures (SOPs), and ongoing employee training help them stay ahead of compliance requirements instead of just meeting them.
Furthermore, Salud Care invests heavily in documentation and traceability systems to make it easier to respond to inspections and audits. Ultimately, its goal is to integrate compliance into its operational culture, ensuring smooth market entry and maintaining credibility in all the markets it serves.
A Culture of Inclusion
Salud Care strongly believes that diversity and inclusion are key drivers of innovation and help strengthen the company’s culture. It actively promotes an inclusive workplace by providing equal opportunities for talent regardless of gender, age, cultural background, or experience. Its hiring and promotion practices are based solely on merit and performance.
Salud Care encourages open communication and has a dedicated HR team to support talent from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, the leadership team is committed to fostering a culture of respect, collaboration, and equal representation. By embedding these values into the company’s core, Salud Care enhances employee engagement and boosts creativity, decision-making, and overall business success.
Finding Balance
Balancing professional and personal life in the pharmaceutical industry, especially in a leadership role, can be quite challenging. However, Mr. Nilesh has found that it is possible through disciplined time management, clear prioritization, and mindful self-care. He makes a conscious effort to set boundaries, ensuring a clear distinction between work responsibilities and family time.
Delegating tasks and empowering his team are also essential strategies for him, as they allow him to focus on strategic decisions instead of getting too involved in daily operations.
Leadership Philosophy
Mr. Nilesh’s leadership philosophy is based on three core principles: Integrity, Empowerment, and Accountability. Integrity is central to every decision he makes, ensuring transparency and consistency in actions at all levels of the organization. Empowerment shapes his approach to building teams; he believes in trusting and enabling people to make decisions, which fosters ownership and innovation. Accountability establishes clear expectations, measurable outcomes, and constructive feedback.
To instill these values throughout Salud Care, Mr. Nilesh demonstrates them consistently and sets clear examples for others to follow. The organization also recognizes and rewards team members who exemplify these principles, reinforcing their importance. Ultimately, aligning individual actions with these shared values creates a unified, high-performance culture dedicated to excellence.
Advice for Aspiring Professionals in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Mr. Nilesh offers aspiring professionals in the pharmaceutical industry three key pieces of advice. First, he emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, as the industry evolves quickly. Staying informed about new trends, regulations, and technologies is crucial. Second, he highlights the need for adaptability and resilience, as challenges are common, but they can also present opportunities for innovation and growth.
Lastly, he encourages patience and perseverance, noting that success in the pharmaceutical field does not come quickly or easily; hard work and ongoing effort are necessary over the long term. Additionally, he stresses the value of gaining practical experience early on, as it provides valuable insights into real-world operations and prepares individuals for leadership roles.
An Open Letter for Emerging Professionals and Future Leaders
To Emerging Professionals and Future Leaders,
As you start your professional journey, always remember that leadership isn’t just about a position—it’s about your purpose. In an important industry like pharmaceuticals, your actions directly affect people’s lives, and with this comes a great responsibility towards the patients who depend on you.
My advice is simple: make integrity your guiding principle. Integrity helps build trust, respect, and lasting success. Stay curious and always keep learning; knowledge will help you grow, and humility will allow you to learn from everyone around you.
Be strong and adaptable because challenges will come, but each one is a chance to show courage, creativity, and to set an example for others. Always lead with empathy and compassion—your team, your partners, and especially the patients who rely on your efforts deserve your best.
Most importantly, never forget your responsibility towards patients. Let this responsibility guide your decisions, motivate your teams, and shape your journey ahead. True success belongs to those who lead with honesty, care, and a deep commitment to improving people’s lives.
Warm regards,
Nilesh Dudhwewala
Director, Salud Care
5 Key Takeaways from Salud Care’s Impact on the Pharmaceutical Industry
- Salud Care has grown significantly by focusing on quality and meeting global standards. Starting small, the company has become a fast-growing pharmaceutical player by consistently improving its manufacturing to meet strict international quality certifications like PICS and WHO: GMP.
- The company is committed to producing a wide range of affordable medicines. Salud Care manufactures a large number of drug combinations, especially in important areas like heart health, diabetes, and skin conditions, aiming to make healthcare accessible to more people.
- Strong leadership and a focus on teamwork have been crucial to Salud Care’s success. Director Nilesh Dudhwewala emphasizes building a talented team, trusting employees, and continuously improving their manufacturing plant as key factors in its growth.
- Salud Care proactively ensures that it follows all the rules and regulations. Instead of just reacting to changes, the company has dedicated teams and processes to stay ahead of both local and international pharmaceutical guidelines, ensuring it can operate smoothly in different markets.
- The company is looking towards the future with new ventures and expansions. Salud Care is entering the nutraceuticals market and expanding its existing manufacturing capabilities, showing its ambition to grow further and offer a wider range of healthcare products.
