Indian pharma industry expects accelerated growth in hiring talent during the current fiscal. The key factors for this are demand for candidates in sync with new technology platforms and frenetic investment activity.

The industry indicates demand in field force, manufacturing, regulatory and research. The main reason for the need for workforce here is to adhere to current regulations, comprehend applications of novel drug delivery concepts and advanced manufacturing processes. Moreover, there is an educated patient population looking not just disease care but prevent health which drives the need of competent and capable workforce.

“An average incremental hiring growth in the pharma sector has always been 11 to 12 per cent as a standard practice over the years. Last year, we saw a larger incremental growth of 15 to 16 per cent in certain cases. This is pre-dominantly because the sector has been growing in Tier I and Tier 2 cities. With more retention of employees especially in functions of sales-marketing, manufacturing and regulatory, companies are making that extra effort to motivate salary growth. This year too we will see the same momentum of growth, Munira Loliwala, Business Head – EMPI (Engineering, Manufacturing, Process/Pharmaceuticals & Infrastructure), TeamLease told Pharmabiz.

From sales-marketing to R&D, manufacture and regulatory hiring is a challenge. Companies are looking to winnow grains from the chaff, said Kaushik Desai, Secretary, Indian Pharmaceutical Association and pharma consultant.  

Now speed is the success of efficiency and technology will eliminate certain jobs but will upscale opportunities for growth. While automation will result in diminishing number of people it will call for an increase salary. Automatically organizations will have to upscale their budgets either retain or invest in cream talent which will come at a price because they are qualified, said Loliwala.

Overall in the last two years, although pharma companies have met their topline growth but experienced fall in profit margins we see salaries have not diminished but a lean workforce strength is becoming more evident. For instance in departments of human resources, administration and regulatory are leaner but armed with expertise, she said.

Much of the employment avenues are beginning to emerge from the Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities though metros continue to propel growth. However, brisk hiring is envisaged from southern states and eastern states of India in pharma and healthcare. Particularly eastern states, pharma and healthcare is developing fast primarily because of the renewed focus by the central and state governments which are increasingly extending tax benefits, financial grants and infrastructure support. Talent is also easily available and labour cost is affordable. For instance, Sikkim has an excise free zone. There is a young and qualified workforce. So for most companies topline growth come in from the metros and profit margins are generated from small towns which balances the overall development noted Loliwala.