For the world of Indian pharma, it’s the end of an era…. Ranjit Shahani, the former Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Novartis India and Chairman of JB Pharmaceuticals has passed away.
Tributes are pouring in from many in the pharma industry. For instance, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the leading leader from the Indian biopharmaceutical arena and the founder and executive chairperson of Biocon describes Shahani as “a gentleman and a great empathetic leader.”
A healthcare industry veteran, Shahani was President Emeritus of Organisation of Pharmaceuticals Producers of India (OPPI), President Emeritus, Swiss Indian Chamber of Commerce and played a key role in promoting strong ties between Switzerland and India. He was also past President of the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry and was on the Council of the International Federation of Pharmaceuticals Manufacturers Associations (IFPMA, Geneva).
As Managing Director and Country President of Novartis India for 15 years, he managed diverse boards, teams and organisations to drive strategic growth plans and delivered strong and successful business outcomes within complex environments.
Often referred to as a thought leader, Shahani has been actively involved in advocating for a strong Product Patent law in the country and Data Protection and liberalization of the price control mechanism for Pharmaceuticals.
Along with many accolades, he was also the recipient of the first OPPI Ratna Award at the OPPI Annual Summit 2023. Conveying his tribute, Anil Matai- Director General of OPPI India said it is the end of an era, “Deeply saddened and heartbroken that Ranjit Shahani – an industry veteran and my inspiration, mentor, Guru and well-wisher forever passed away this morning.
“His remarkable grace, warm presence, generosity, humility, kindness & constant words of encouragement are now lost but this treasure of memories will remain etched in our hearts forever.
“Ranjit will be remembered as a luminary, a warrior for the right to health, and one of the greatest Pharma industry heroes of all time in India. I will be forever grateful for the ways he showed all of us time and again what it means to tirelessly serve humanity.”
Satya Dev Tiwari, Managing Director of Voll Sante Functional Foods & Nutraceuticals recalled his early days in Novartis while paying tribute to Shahani’s memory, “Can’t believe the angelical person in the centre, Sh. Ranjit Shahani has joined the galaxy of stars for us to only gaze in skies now, but no more on this earth.
“Can’t forget my early days in Novartis, running to his cabin with powerpoint presentations and returning with a coveted ticket to a grand cultural or musical event which he couldn’t attend.
“Can’t express the jubilation when I and my son met him few months ago and he kindly agreed to be Voll Sante’s Chairman, Advisory Board.
Can’t console today when that ever-charming, suave, sublime, gracious, generous, kind-hearted luminary and connoisseur of poetry and shayari is no more amongst us.
“May the hero of Pharma remain in hearts of every stakeholder of industry and humanity. May his noble soul attain peace.”
