“Pharmacy isn’t just about what’s in your textbooks. It is about applying knowledge, keeping up with innovations, and being ready to adapt,” said Mr. Jeevan Kolhe, Senior Associate Scientist at Johnson & Johnson, speaking to aspiring pharmacists at NMIMS Mumbai.
Drawing from over a decade in India’s pharmaceutical industry, Mr. Kolhe encouraged students to move beyond academics and get hands-on experience. “You need to look at what’s happening in the industry right now. For example, we’ve moved from conventional drugs to biologics, cell and gene therapies, and even vaccines like the COVID-19 vaccine developed with support from Indian companies. Understanding these changes and how AI is used in quality control and manufacturing is key to thriving in this field,” he said.
He spoke about the variety of career paths available in pharmacy today, including R&D, manufacturing, regulatory affairs, and data science. Sharing from his early career, he said, “I started in R&D as a junior scientist. At that time, I hadn’t received my master’s results yet. The HR team told me I could join, but with a lower salary. I chose to take the opportunity. Flexibility, being willing to learn, and understanding your goals can make a big difference early in your career.”
Mr. Kolhe also highlighted the societal impact of pharmacists. “It’s not just about labs. For instance, in some areas, people mix antibiotics with normal tap water instead of the purified water provided. Educating patients can prevent infections. AI also helps in manufacturing, for example, checking tablets for size, shape, and colour so errors are caught automatically. This improves both efficiency and safety.”
Reg Sphere, the student-led Regulatory Affairs Committee, underscores practical engagement outside the classroom. Dr. Meena Chintamaneni, Pro-Vice Chancellor, NMIMS, encouraged students to focus on the three Cs: Connections, Confluence, and Compliance. “Compliance is the basic requirement, connections take time to build, and confluence means combining academic knowledge, industry trends, and regulations. You cannot work in silos anymore. Real growth happens when you apply what you learn in the real world.”
Dr. Jagannath Sahoo, Dean, Shobhaben Pratapbhai Patel School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, NMIMS University, Mumbai, motivated students to actively shape India’s expanding pharmaceutical sector through excellence and engagement. The session also highlighted India’s emergence as a global pharmaceutical hub thanks to skilled professionals, strategic location, and cost advantages, along with innovations like biosimilars that make medicines more accessible.
