The Organisation of Pharmaceutical Producers of India (OPPI) has tied up with the Mumbai-based S.P. Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR) to commence an Executive MBA programme exclusive to the pharmaceutical industry.

The programme will be for executives with about five years experience in the pharmaceutical industry. The objective of the programme is to upgrade and hone the management skills of non-MBA pharma executives with potential and create a reservoir of versatile executives with strong base of functional knowledge along with general management perspective.

“The programme will be open to the entire pharmaceutical industry and not just the members of OPPI. Special emphasis will be given for the industry academia interaction. Syllabi content will be upgraded on a timely basis in consultation with the industry,” said Manesh L. Shrikant, Hon Dean, SPJIMR.

The candidates to be sponsored by the companies will be selected through an elaborate selection procedure. OPPI will advise and assist SPJIMR in terms of design of the programme, deciding the course curriculum and content and identifying the faulty and expert speakers.

The programme is spread over 18 months wherein the participants will spend about 60 days spread over six contact periods at the campus. The programme is divided into four phases, namely, Orientation phase, Foundation phase, integration phase and customization phase.

The course will commence from February 2004. The fee structure for the eighteen- month programme is Rs. 2,62,000. “Emphasis will be given on topics like Intellectual property management, pharmacoeconomics, regulatory affairs, WTO affairs, taxation, and price control in an exhaustive manner,” said Dr. Ajit Dangi, Secretary General, OPPI.