Former Sr. Vice President of Lupin Warns on Why Indian Pharma Quality is Failing

Quality culture isn't a department. It's a choice you make every single day, even when it costs you. Deepak Kasbi spent 40 years building pharmaceutical quality systems at Ranbaxy (now Sun Pharma), Lupin, and Alembic Pharmaceuticals. In this raw, honest conversation, he breaks down what most senior pharma leaders won't say publicly: the real gaps in Indian pharma quality culture, why compliance without discipline is just window dressing, and what it actually costs when you choose business over patient safety. He introduces eGMP (Ethical Good Manufacturing Practices). A simple concept: produce medicines safe enough to give to your own family. WHAT THIS EPISODE COVERS: · Why he refused to release a sterile batch despite intense management pressure · Data integrity culture, the foundational issue plaguing Indian pharma right now · How to shift from inspection-ready to actually anytime-ready · The 2008 FDA inspection story: staying calm and confident when everything's chaos · Why quality actually increases productivity (and why most companies get this backwards) _______________________ Key Chapters: [00:00] Opening Sequence [01:42] Introduction to Deepak Kasbi [02:17] Early Career Challenges [02:56] Transformation and Cultural Change [03:42] Balancing Compliance & Business [05:11] Industry Setbacks and Recovery [05:52] Career Growth Leadership Roles [08:17] Overcoming FDA Warning Letters [11:45] International Quality Transformation Exposure [13:06] Decision-Making Leadership Style [15:51] Proactive vs Reactive Thinking [17:23] Root Cause Analysis Importance [24:20] What is eGMP? [35:02] Handling US FDA Inspections [42:03] Sustaining Compliance Industry Challenges [42:45] Courtesy23 Initiative [47:48] Quality Improvement in MSMEs [49:17] Closing Remarks _______________________ Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Pharma Now or any organisation they are affiliated with. This conversation is intended for informational and educational purposes only. We are here for honest, unfiltered conversations that move the industry forward. _______________________ Pharma Now is a global B2B pharmaceutical media platform delivering in-depth conversations with the leaders, scientists, regulators, and innovators shaping the future of the pharmaceutical industry. Through our podcast series, we bring you unfiltered insights on leadership, manufacturing, quality, microbiology, and the trends defining pharma today. Subscribe to stay ahead of the curve. Follow Pharma Now's Social handles: • LinkedIn:   / pharma-now   • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... • Twitter: https://x.com/PharmaNowGlobal • Instagram:   / pharmanow.live   • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6nop10i... Host: Kadambari Bendre, Head of Marketing, Pharma Now   / kadambari-bendre   Guest: Deepak Kasbi, Former Sr. Vice President - Corporate QA, Lupin Limited   / deepak-kasbi-18314739   _____________________________________________________________ Watch the full episode now and subscribe to Pharma Now for weekly conversations with the leaders and innovators shaping the future of the pharmaceutical industry. 📩 For collaboration and partnership enquiries, write to us at [email protected] #voicesofpharma #pharmanow #pharmaleadership #alembic #lupin #pharmaindustry #leadershipdevelopment #pharmaceuticalindustry #executiveleadership #pharmamanufacturing #leadership