Quality, Leadership, & Global Impact: A Candid Conversation With Former Wockhardt President Pradnya Deshmukh

June 2025 – Pharma Now — In an enlightening interview with Pharma Now, Pradnya Deshmukh, former President of global pharmaceutical leader Wockhardt, shared her powerful insights on leadership, regulatory excellence, and her personal journey toward becoming a global pharma executive. Ms. Deshmukh describes quality not as a task, but a mindset—a daily commitment to integrity, honesty, and clear communication, especially in regulatory affairs. She emphasizes the importance of interpreting guidelines correctly while aligning them with local values to ensure consistent compliance and product excellence.

She also underlines the evolving Indian pharmaceutical landscape, highlighting advancements in infrastructure, technology, and digitalization. However, she notes that small players need more support, especially through mentoring and technical guidance, to thrive in a competitive global market.

Her leadership style is built on trust and delegation, where teams are encouraged to take ownership, make mistakes, and grow—so long as mistakes are not repeated. She manages global teams by respecting time zones, avoiding micromanagement, and promoting clear communication. Her leadership mantra includes dividing time wisely: 30% for her team, 30% for herself, 10% for upskilling, and 10% for interactions with senior leaders.

Ms. Deshmukh also offers advice on balancing personal and professional life. She believes in being available around the clock while ensuring she spends quality time with her family, reflecting the demands of modern global leadership. Her journey from financial independence and early teaching jobs to the boardroom was shaped by grit, mentorship, and a career-first mindset.

She urges young professionals to embrace fear, take calculated risks, and learn from failure. Her leadership values, drawn from mentors like Premchand Godha and Dilip Shanghvi include humility, trust, teamwork, and risk management. In her words, “To lead globally, you must manage your personal time with flexibility and always stay available for your team and your organization.” This interview is a must-listen for anyone aspiring to lead in the pharmaceutical world, blending technical expertise, cultural sensitivity, and real-world leadership lessons