As a medical graduate Dr R K Sanghavi (RKS) started early in his career with a dual role of a practicing clinician as well as an advisor to healthcare industry way back since 1983. In his very assignment RKS was privileged to be associated with a reputed Indian Pharma company who could boast of having top brass of Pfizer’s marketing wizards, and crème de la crème of pharma, as their mentor and guide. The medical background knowledge of RKS was gradually but firmly channelized into medicomarketing expertise by over 3-years interaction and close association with all these experts who were also directly responsible for creating the MNC’s enviable brands including Corex, Becosules and Terramycin.

Having imbibed the nuances in product positioning and creating promotional inputs, there was no looking back for RKS. Over the last 35 years, during his association with over 80 large-medium-small Pharma companies, including MNC, there has been no single marketeer or product promotion expert who has contributed more better, or any additional unknown facet in brand building than what was derived already. This provided the basis for his successful spell as consultant to Healthcare Industry and currently can boast of 200 Company-year experience. Notable companies consulted include (in chronological order of association) Khandelwal Labs, Sun Pharma, FDC Ltd, Blue Cross, Biochem, Abbott & Mankind.

In late 1980s, Seven Seas-in-licensed Indian company forayed into nutraceuticals for the first time in India with the advisory pillar-support of RKS. Consequently, RKS pioneered nutraceuticals and lead in the first launches of a number of ingredients like antioxidants, glucosaminechondroitin, omega-3 fatty acids, Evening primrose, isoflavones, ingredients for benefitting ARMD (eye), St John’s Wort, phospholipids, DHA (for pregnancy), coenzyme Q10 for heart as well as for male infertility and many others over years thereafter. The pioneering effort of RKS was not confined to mere promotional inputs, there dawned a new chapter in his career since lectures were delivered on these nutraceutical ingredients / products to every specialists and in most cities and towns of India! The current tally exceeds 250 of delivered talks on both national as well as international platforms – including Bangladesh, UAE, Sri Lanka, Philippines.

RKS–delivered talks on relevant medical topics have been educative enough for the attending delegates to immediately consider advocating products in day-today practice. For Universal Medicare-Seven Seas combine, for whom RKS delivered most talks, each and every product gained immense brand valuation and even ruled in the country! Even for pharma the scientificloaded content of lectures of RKS has resulted in immense brand growth and Meftal Group is one stark example – having catapulted from INR 400 mn to over INR 1500 mn in over 5 years through over 50 lectures.

RKS has also coordinated, and / or been responsible, for first-time in country launch of ORS for malnourished children as per WHO / UNICEF recommendations, unique and demonstrably proven blend for erectile dysfunction, most concentrated with soluble fiber formulation and green lipped mussel combination. RKS can take the credit for positioning an ORS-variant brand for weakness and the same has attained numero uno position in the country. In association with Se-Cure Pharm. (Israel) RKS launched the international (then 13 countries’ registered) brand: Femarelle in India through talks to Gynecologists and national (FOGSI) / regional Gynec Conferences: RKS even unveiled the concept of SEEM and scientifically convinced the delegates, including the Israel brand owners that their product ALSO works as a PhytoSEEM (in addition to its PhytoSERM actions).

In a proliferating nutra space in the 21st century, RKS forayed in the OTC space and conceptualized and managed two product launches via medical support to media, including scripting for famed Bollywood stars who were designated brand ambassadors for each.

Academics-wise RKS has been instrumental in coining the terminologies SNDRI (Serotonin, Noradrenaline, Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitor) and iAND with reference to classifying FDCs in the Indian context. He has 12 published articles to his credit and has edited a book: ‘Force Success Follow You’ authored by D M Shetty of Pfizer fame. RKS has himself organized on (IDMA) association’s platform 20 conferences, and participated as faculty in another 33. He has delivered talks on nutraceuticals to students, dieticians and teaching staff at (Mumbai) Ramniranjan Jhunjhunwala College, SIES College of Arts, Science & Commerce & Bombay College of Pharmacy.

Having chaired the medical and nutraceutical committees for the largest Pharma association – IDMA (Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association), RKS has deeprooted understanding of regulations in drug space (CDSCO) as well as nutra (FSSAI). He has been bold enough (via legal recourse) to protect the industry against unjust policies and thereby indirectly benefit the patients / consumers. RKS was exclusively responsible for the CDSCO to embrace the terminology ‘deemed approved’, for the first time in history, in their communications when deadlines are committed for reverting to the industry. The Pharma companies have hoven a sigh of relief since time and effort in follow-ups, including costly delays, have been blocked & curtailed

RKS is multi-tasking and has not deviated from his roots. In spite of his busy schedule, including numerous trips for lectures and regulatory interactions, he continues to consult patients in his chambers. He has even served for decades various institutions (BEST Employees’ Association Dispensary, etc.) and hospital (Ramakrishna Mission Hospital), including rural mission (Sakwar, Thane) by providing honorary service.

Lectures given to: Anesthetists, Andrologists, Cardiologists, Cardio- Thoracic Surgeons, Dermatologists, Dentists, Diabetologists, Family Practitioners, Gastroenterologists, Gynecologists, Orthopedic Surgeons, Ophthalmologists, Pediatricians, Physicians, Psychiatrists, Rheumatologists, Surgeons. Nutraceutical divisions have been launched by various companies like Yash Pharma, KC Lab, Vilco Lab, Biochem Pharma, Kirti Lifesciences, Inventia and Bestochem at the behest of RKS. For Gepach (operational in Russia & CIS), Medreich Sterilab & Welkin Convergence, RKS conceptualized the whole nutraceutical portfolio.

RKS is a member of the Subject Review Committee for National Formulary of India (NFI) since near one decade. RKS has battled with personal involvement in the High Courts of Mumbai, Chennai & Delhi as well as in the Supreme Court and in ALL the 6 cases (both CDSCO / FSSAI) has emerged victorious. Glaring issues have been saving rational FDCs’ erratic banning on flimsy pretext (CDSCO) and implementing an unlawful system of Product Approval for nutraceuticals (FSSAI). RKS has coordinated the right Protein Nutritional Supplement formula for supply to the children of Maharashtra for State Government project.