As leaders in the pharmaceutical industry, individuals hold a pivotal role in shaping the healthcare landscape and contributing to societal well-being. Their relentless pursuit of innovative medical solutions has revolutionized treatment options, saved lives, and improved the quality of life for millions worldwide.
From navigating complex regulatory frameworks and stringent quality standards to addressing evolving healthcare needs and market dynamics, pharmaceutical leaders face a myriad of obstacles. Yet, amidst these challenges lie abundant opportunities. With advancements in technology, such as personalized medicine and gene therapy, along with increasing global health awareness, leaders in the pharmaceutical industry have the chance to drive transformative change and shape the future of healthcare delivery.
Sanjeev Sehgal ( Senior Vice President at Micro Labs Ltd ) embraces innovation, fosters collaboration, and prioritizes patient-centric approaches to capitalize on these opportunities and continue profoundly impacting society. He believes that achieving business targets and enhancing brand value are natural outcomes of having strong dedicated, goal-oriented teams.
Approach to Continuous Improvement
Sanjeev Sehgal has a professional career spanning 36 years as of today, beginning in 1988 with GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, where he held various roles for two decades. In 2008, he joined Micro Labs Ltd as the General Manager for East Africa, overseeing pharmaceutical marketing and sales. These 36 years have laid a strong foundation for a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
His extensive experience in pharmaceutical markets across Africa and India has provided him with a global and cross-cultural perspective that he brings to his work. Sanjeev’s experience has imparted valuable lessons in brand building, team development, and business relationship management. These insights have consistently contributed to the creation and maintenance of robust, market-leading brands in highly competitive environments.
Sanjeev Sehgal views the establishment of a culture of teamwork and the development of future leaders, resulting in enhanced productivity and improved outcomes, as his key achievements. These accomplishments underscore his dedication to servant leadership and the positive influence it has had on employees, teams, and customers.
The Strategic Pioneer
After serving GSK for two decades in India, Sanjeev embarked on an exciting journey with Micro Labs Ltd in 2008. The opportunity to join the company as General Manager for East Africa was nothing short of inspiring. His main objective was to establish Micro Labs as a renowned branded generic company, known for its exceptional quality and professionalism in the pharmaceutical industry of East Africa.
At that time, the African pharmaceutical market had a strong preference for American and European brands, and it was Sanjeev’s responsibility to change that perception. He and his team faced the challenging task of convincing doctors, who had been educated in Europe and South Africa, to trust their branded generic drugs over originator medicines. Competing with giants like Sanofi, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, and Novartis demanded his utmost dedication and strategic thinking.
Before committing to this role in early 2008, Sanjeev Sehgal personally visited Micro Labs’ factories in Bangalore, India, to ensure that their quality parameters were exceptional. The reputation of Micro Labs in India for providing high-quality medicines at affordable prices fueled his determination to replicate this success in East Africa.
Joining Micro Labs was a decision that allowed Sanjeev to leave a positive impact on the pharmaceutical industry and fulfill his personal quest to establish a new company and take it to a leadership position. It has been a thrilling and fulfilling journey, and he is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the success of Micro Labs in East Africa, now as Senior Vice President.
From Challenges to Triumph
Working in a new continent brought its own set of challenges for Sanjeev Sehgal. Cultural differences, language barriers, a new company, market entry restrictions, and limited market data were just a few of the obstacles he had to overcome. However, with a passionate and dedicated initial team of Kenyan, Ugandan, Rwandan, and Malagasy nationals, significant strides were made towards establishing the Micro Labs brand and gaining recognition as a trusted provider of quality medications in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Madagascar.
Traveling extensively across the region, meeting with doctors, and understanding their needs, allowed Sanjeev Sehgal and his team to tailor their offerings to specific requirements. The strong endorsement from the medical community, coupled with the superior quality of medicines from Micro Labs, quickly earned the confidence and trust of consultant doctors.
The long-standing success of Micro Labs can be attributed to the team’s unwavering commitment to quality, their ability to adapt to new markets, and their dedication. Overcoming initial challenges with enthusiasm and determination paved the way for continued growth and success in the East African markets.
Excellence in Pharmaceuticals
Micro Labs focuses on delivering outstanding products and services in the pharmaceutical industry, catering to healthcare providers, pharmacies, and hospitals with a wide range of therapeutic categories including cardiology, diabetology, and antibacterials. The company’s commitment to Continuous Medical Education (CME), R&D, regulatory compliance, manufacturing excellence, and quality control distinguishes it from competitors. Micro Labs emphasizes staying current with medical advancements to provide optimal patient care through comprehensive CME programs and innovative drug formulations.
Adhering to high standards set by regulatory authorities and GMP, the company ensures product quality and safety through rigorous pharmacovigilance. By optimizing inventory management and offering a comprehensive product range, Micro Labs aims to elevate the branded generic pharmaceutical industry, prioritizing patient outcomes through education, innovation, and compliance.
Expanding Horizons
The main business objective of Micro Labs is to tap into its infinite potential in developing new medicines and expanding its therapy portfolio in diverse therapeutic areas that are significant for mankind’s wellbeing. Micro Labs will continue to focus on delivering high-quality products and services to healthcare providers, ensuring their availability, and fostering a strong and motivated team culture.
Micro Labs will operate with utmost integrity, adhering to the best practices of governance and principles of ethics in all business segments, including Manufacturing, R&D, HCP Engagement, Patient Education, and Logistics.
Micro Labs’ Strategy for Success
While the COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly presented immense challenges, directly affecting drug approvals, production, demand, supply chain, and logistics, it has also opened doors to new possibilities in the healthcare landscape. Market drivers indicate an increased prevalence of chronic conditions and bacterial diseases.
As a leading pharmaceutical company, Micro Labs approaches the current business scenario with enthusiasm, driving change and creating a more resilient future. The new normal encourages a patient-centric approach through digital transformation, such as telemedicine and AI.
Transforming Challenges into Opportunities
Sanjeev also strongly agrees with the statement that Micro Labs’ workforce undoubtedly plays a vital role and is the backbone of the business, playing a pivotal role in driving growth and success. A motivated and well-equipped team can unleash creativity, drive productivity, and overcome challenges, resulting in an enhanced customer experience and increased business opportunities.
As the head of Micro Labs East Africa, Sanjeev feels highly privileged to work with a team of more than 300 individuals across various countries of Africa (including East and Southcentral Africa, as well as Indian Ocean countries), with only 12 expatriates from India, while the rest are nationals of their respective countries.
Each member of the workforce brings a wealth of expertise and experience in their respective fields such as sales, marketing, regulatory affairs, logistics, and operations, enabling the team to tackle any challenge that comes their way. Each member of Micro Labs EA follows the principle of RCI (Ritualistic Continuous Improvement), wherein they are committed to being better than yesterday in both their professional and personal capacities.
Commitment to Innovation
Sanjeev Sehgal fully endorses the idea that innovation is paramount for business expansion. In the swiftly changing and fiercely competitive business environment of today, organizations must consistently innovate to maintain a competitive edge and foster sustainable growth.
At Micro Labs East Africa, prioritizing innovation has proven instrumental in outpacing competitors. Sanjeev and his team promote a culture of innovation and empowerment, consistently rewarding creativity. They invest in research and development for new products and embrace emerging technologies in marketing and human resource management. This commitment to innovation has not only facilitated entry into new markets and customer segments but has also driven growth and revenue for both the organization and its stakeholders.
Emphasis on Self-reflection
Sanjeev Sehgal appreciates the quote,
“When you point one finger, three fingers are pointing back to you.”
He finds it impactful as it underscores the significance of self-reflection, personal responsibility, understanding, and empathy within a team dynamic.
In Sanjeev’s view, conflicts or issues within a team often lead individuals to blame others and highlight their mistakes or shortcomings, disregarding their perspectives, experiences, and challenges. However, this quote serves as a reminder to consider one’s own actions and contributions to the situation. By doing so, individuals can gain a better understanding of others’ viewpoints, leading to a more collaborative and supportive team environment.
