Leaders

Pain is a major cause of suffering, a source of anxiety and a barrier to accepting new challenges. As a result, pain produces both physical and mental anguish a Psycho- Somatic loss of well-being. Chronic Pain seeps suffering into the patient’s care-givers by causing financial loss, sleep disturbance, and physical strain. Pain, in short, changes the quality of life of the patient and his family.

Considering these factors and with a passion for gaining more information and expertise in pain treatment, Samita Aiyer, the Director of Somatico Pharmacal, wanted to pursue a career in the pharmaceuticals sector as she learned that medicine can alleviate pain.

Somatico Pharmacal, under the direction of Samita, produces unique formulations that are cost-effective for patients; the firm blends effective formulations with fewer adverse effects by carefully selecting actives and excipients. Somatico Pharmacal, based in Mumbai, is a pioneer in pain management pharmaceuticals in India, delivering services under the motto "Peace to Psyche, Relief to Soma," which indicates that the Body receives relief when the Mind is at rest. In Latin, Psyche means Mind and Soma means Body, and Somatico Pharmacal specializes in treating Primary Health Care patients with a wide selection of medications.

The Women Entrepreneur India magazine engaged in an exclusive interview with Samita, wherein she took us through her professional journey and gave us a glimpse of her inspirational leadership thoughts.

What Are The Various Roles & Responsibilities That You Currently Shoulder At Somatico Pharmacal? What Are Some Of The Most Challenging Aspects Of Your Role As The Director? How Do You Overcome Them?
Every woman entrepreneur, regardless of industry or size, will be on an emotional journey, and as we are teeming with the prolactin hormone, which fills our eyes with tears of love and compassion. Our professional training for excellence intersects with our basic need to care for and nurture individuals. Furthermore, my initial role at Somatico Pharmacal was to rally a group of people to believe in our goal. I was always on the go teaching everyone, traveling for days with my kids in tow, who slept as babies in the conference halls.

Primarily, I learned that because I am managing an MSME with home funding, I do not have the luxury of experimenting, and I must make an impact on my team and consumers with limited resources and time. Likewise, I placed a great deal of trust in my employees, considering their shortcomings as my own, as well as teaching and retraining them to represent us effectively. Today, I have a team of specialists to manage the firm, but my preferred tasks are still developing distinct medications and training our workforce.

Speaking of challenges, because pharmaceuticals is a highly regulated business, every day brings a new rule, and I do not believe in cutting shortcuts; instead, we create systems in accordance with the new laws. Additionally, ours is a highly competitive market with teams and ideas that are open to poaching. Due to this, I always remain in contact with teams and the industry to stay up to date on the current market developments, and the recent Covid years were a wake-up call for us! When the business dropped to almost nothing, I had to anchor down hard and keep the team's morale high. Even in the midst of a corporate loss, my primary concern was the safety of the team and their families.

What Have Been The Most Significant Milestones That You Have Achieved In You Professional Journey So Far? What Has Been The Driving Force Behind Your Successful Stint As A Business Leader?

The approval of our formulations by Regional Cancer Centres across India was one of the major milestones in my professional life, and I am a member of the Indian Society for the Study of Pain, despite not being a doctor. My life is fulfilled when patients are relieved of their agony and doctors write me a word of appreciation.

How Do You Foresee The Indian Pharmaceuticals Industry Evolving In The Near Future? What Trends Do You See Developing In The Field Going Forward?
The Indian Pharmaceutical Industry is one of the most thriving businesses in India, and despite strict guidelines, it will always be a shining star. With a broad network of vendors and different levels of health care ranging from primary to tertiary, the need for pharmaceuticals will rise in tandem with urbanization. Growth will be driven by new auxiliary sectors like Cosmeceuticals, Nutraceuticals, and Functional Foods. In addition, education as well as increased income power among the country's 50 percent of the population is also fueling the growth of our industry.

How Do You Keep Yourself Well Aligned With The Periodic Evolutions Occurring Within Your Respective Field Of Work?
I am an active member of the IDMA (Indian Drug Manufacturers Association) and FOPE Executive Committees (Federation of Pharmaceutical Entrepreneurs). Attending their educational seminars keeps me up to date on the most recent advances in this sector.

As A Successful Businesswoman, What Would Your Advice Be To Young Women And Girls Aspiring To Become Business Leaders And Entrepreneurs In The Future?
Life and business are both marathons. Only half of everything we accomplish will be marginally successful, while the other half will shine brightly. Your 90 percent efforts, sweat, and tears may go unappreciated by the rest of the world, but it will pave the path for a rewarding journey in which both your family and the nation will be proud of you. Go ahead and just do it. Create an identity for yourself and make India proud!

Samita Aiyer, Director,Somatico Pharmacal
Samita Aiyer is a Graduate from Mumbai University in Life Sciences and Masters in Management Sciences from the SP Jain Institute of Management and Research. 

She is also a self-taught artist, a published author and a certified Yoga Teacher through Mumbai University. Samita, who calls herself “an Artist at Heart” is a multifaceted personality that eagerly leads her team into the magical realm of learning and treating patients with better products at a lower cost.