A famous proverb says ‘Prevention is better than cure’. The ongoing Covid 19 pandemic has taught the entire world the importance of being preventive. The pharma industry now no longer only caters towards the cure segment but also focuses on the preventive aspect as well. A staunch believer in the proverb is Anushri R. Agarwal, a prestigious leader in the pharma industry and the COO of OpthoPharma. Based in Allahabad, OpthoPharma is a pharmaceutical company holding a heritage of 40 plus years in Ophthalmic segment. Under the able guidance of Anushri, the firm reaches out to the people through its ultimate solutions for ophthalmic intricacies.

An aviator by qualification, a creative writer by temperament and an astute businesswoman by virtue, Anushri has excelled in various fields. She has also been awarded by world HR FORUM, as one of top ten women leaders in Uttar Pradesh. In a detailed interview with the Women Entrepreneur team.

sheintroduces us to OpthoPharma, its products and also narrates her exceptional journey towards becoming a leader in the pharma & life science industry.

Introduce Us To Opthopharma And Its Products. In Your Opinion What Makes The Company Unique?

OpthoPharma was established by late. Shri R.K Agarwal in 1973. The company manufactures specialized products related to eyecare. We believe prevention is better than cure, but if not prevented then cure is a must. Hence, we focus on products for both prevention as well as cure. The company was established with determination and unwavering commitment of serving fellow beings and now it is reaching out to the people with its innovative products. The company manufactures advance and diversified Opthosolutions in drop forms. We have varied products starting from anti-biotics, lubricants, anti-allergics, steroids, antioxidants and whatever the industry requires in terms of the eye-drops and tablets.

“Anushri was and is still passionate about writing, which has propelled her to give the company the much awaited corporate journal named optho times”

The brand is what makes the product unique. It is trust that has made the company sustain in the market for such a long time. I believe that if the product stays in the market for at least 10 years it automatically becomes a brand. We are proud and happy to share that we will soon be completing 50 years of OpthoPharma.

Tell Us About Your Educational Journey and Prior Industry Experience Before Coming Onboard Opthopharma.

I was a highly ambitious kid during my school days and since a young age I aspired to be part of the aviation industry. I am a certified aircraft engineer, radio & telephony engineer and I dreamt of being in the same filed. However, when I was on the verge of my final education, after working for some time in the national aviation firm, I got to experience the harsh realities that women had to face in this industry.

But I believe that my education and experiences have not gone in vain. Even after changing my domain post marriage I have been implementing the things that I had learnt throughout into the business. It has made me a stronger women and helped me deal with all the ups & downs in life.

How Has Your Journey Been With Opthopharma? What Is Your Part Of Contribution To The Firm Being A Lead In The Frontline?

Myself being a daughter in law from a business family, I had to start my journey from scratch, as an intern in the company soon after my marriage. It’s a journey of probably eight years that took me to this position of COO.

I believe everybody is born with their share of imagination. I always imagined of giving this company a corporate journal. I was and am still very passionate about writing which has helped me to give the company the much awaited corporate journal, named Optho Times. Here we publish research papers, articles written by the doctors for the doctors across India.

The power of writing has brought me on the frontline in this field. People started noticing me through my corporate journals. Though it was not very successful in the first year, we gradually gained momentum. Last year marked the completion of five years of Optho Times. That one step brought me corporate identity, respect, and shine. If not that I wouldn’t have reached this stage so soon.

Leading A Firm From The Frontline, How Do You Strike A Balance Between Your Work And Home Life?

Being a married women, it is always challenging to strike a balance between professional life and personal life. Women have an inbuilt power of multitasking; she is even compared to the goddess with multiple hands. She handles her job, family, kids, and lot more. In my case, I started working while carrying my first child. Pregnancy and the work went hand in hand. My success credits are not just for me, rather I owe it to my family as well. In the meantime I have also covered courses from IIM Calcutta, IIFT, and FICCI.

What Would Your Advice Be For Young Women Who Aspire To Foray Into The Pharma And Life Science Sector?

Pharma and the life science is a field where ones personality must relate to the scientific aspect. There is a Hindi proverb that says, ‘Padhekokyapadhana’, and this applies in the pharma industry as well because that is the job the pharma industry front liners do. They provide advanced knowledge, new happenings, and advancements of their industry with doctors who are highly educated.

Giving out the new evolutions, something out of the box regularly by the frontliners is very challenging. He/she must be capable of undertaking the tasks in a scientific manner. If one can do this then there is no question of gender.

Can You Talk About That One Business Leader Who Admires You And Why?

Mr. Ratan Tata is a business leader I admire the most. I had an opportunity to see him in a conference. Just five minutes of his speech gives was inspiring for me. When we look at their family history, they are the first business leaders in India. One of his habit that I look upto is “Reserve and Surplus” which was made mandatory in all his business houses.

Anushri R. Agarwal, COO-Optho Pharma, Editor In Chief Optho Times

Anushri R. Agarwal, a prestigious leader in the pharma industry and the COO of OpthoPharma.Based in prayagraj, OpthoPharma is a pharmceutical company holding a heritage of 40 plus years in Ophthalmic segment.