Dr. K.Gopalakrishnan: The Master of Pharmaceutical Marketing
Dr. Gopalakrishnan
Chief Executive
Similarly, winding back four decades, Dr. Gopaalakrishnan(CEO)as a teenager aspired to work as a Medical Representative for a reputed Multinational company, Ms. HOECHST Pharmaceuticals, a German global enterprise (now Ms. Sanofi International), in 1971. Within a short period of time, he was named the best representative in India and was flown to thecompany's headquarters in Germany. During his stint as a Medical Representative, Dr. Gopaalakrishnan pledged that he needed to reach the top of the corporate ladder by 1991. As destiny would have it, he took over as General Manager Marketing & Sales at Ms. Fourrts India Pharmaceuticals in 1991. The rest of the anecdote is history wherein he grew the company from Rs. 1.5 crores to Rs.700 crores turnover.
In an exclusive interaction with CEO Insights, Dr. Gopalakrishnan spoke about his professional journey in sales and marketing.
How would you describe fourrts(india) laboratories as an organization?
Fourrts is a reputed National as well as international marketing company that exports medications to more than 53 nations, including regulated countries such as the UK & US. Our goal is to reach a revenue of Rs.1000 crores in two years. According to AWACS and C MARC, Fourrts ranks 42nd in the Indian pharmaceutical market, with a 16.5 percent CAGR. Fourrts is a corporation that specializes in the marketing of nutraceuticals. And it's
well-known in the pharmaceutical industry for its value based marketing and ability to spot therapy gaps. In their respective therapy sectors, the majority of our brands are market leaders.
What was the motivation behind your journey, and what is your success mantra?
As previously said, the key motivation for growth was my great desire for job advancement and confidence that I could reach the top in less than 20 years. My accent shifted to Developing People, Developing Brands, and Developing Market after I reached the top.
How does your company differ from its industry competitors? What distinguishes you from the competition?
As previously said, Fourrts now exports its pharmaceuticals to over 53 countries, and the company has built the most modern and state-of-the-art plant, which complies with UK MHRA and US FDI criteria, so that we can export our products to the most advanced countries, such as Europe, the United Kingdom, and the US. We have already begun selling to African countries, countries in North America, and Russian provinces. And, thanks to WHO-mandated GMP Standards, our USP is the highest quality standards and manufacturing ethics.
How have you handled the challenges posed by the covid affected market, as well as the necessity for fresh strategies?
Instead of focusing on COVID, we decided to focus on post-COVID problems, for which we had a great therapy solution for health practitioners. For example, we have Pulmo clear, which makes breathing easier during post COVID problems and Udimarin and Tocofil, which protect the liver because the COVID patient have to take a lot of medications throughout the COVID
The most satisfying mile stone was Bringing the company from a base of Rs.1.5crores to rs.700 crores today
What was the motivation behind your journey, and what is your success mantra?
As previously said, the key motivation for growth was my great desire for job advancement and confidence that I could reach the top in less than 20 years. My accent shifted to Developing People, Developing Brands, and Developing Market after I reached the top.
How does your company differ from its industry competitors? What distinguishes you from the competition?
As previously said, Fourrts now exports its pharmaceuticals to over 53 countries, and the company has built the most modern and state-of-the-art plant, which complies with UK MHRA and US FDI criteria, so that we can export our products to the most advanced countries, such as Europe, the United Kingdom, and the US. We have already begun selling to African countries, countries in North America, and Russian provinces. And, thanks to WHO-mandated GMP Standards, our USP is the highest quality standards and manufacturing ethics.
How have you handled the challenges posed by the covid affected market, as well as the necessity for fresh strategies?
Instead of focusing on COVID, we decided to focus on post-COVID problems, for which we had a great therapy solution for health practitioners. For example, we have Pulmo clear, which makes breathing easier during post COVID problems and Udimarin and Tocofil, which protect the liver because the COVID patient have to take a lot of medications throughout the COVID
patient have to take a lot of medications throughout the COVID or post-COVID era. As a result, liver protection is critical. Allergic signs such as Nasal drip and Phlegm creation are noticed during COVID and post-COVID, for which we have positioned L Montus, which has received a lot of support from medical depression.For COVID patients, we supplied Sucrafil and Sucrafil O Gel to protect the abdominal layer. Fourrts B is good for strengthening immunity. So, in summary, we had two strategies: focus on post-COVID issues and provide direct COVID drugs through our Homoeopathic Division, which includes Arsanicum Album and Fourrts Immune syrup.
Which milestones in your professional career have givenyou the most satisfaction both as an individual and as an industry leader?
The most satisfying part was bringing the company from a base of Rs. 1.5 crores to Rs.700 crores today. Second, according to Market Audit Data, Fourrts was a non-existent entity in the pharmaceutical industry, and we could now move it up to 42nd place. Sucrafil, Nefrosave, Pulmo clear, LMontus, Fourts B, and other 100 crore brands have been developed. Another rewarding feature is that I was able to develop all internal human resources and promote them to the top of management to oversee the organization's growth.
What are the changes in market behavior that you expect to see in the future, and what possibilities do you perceive?
I believe that treatment changes will occur in the pharmaceutical sector many vaccines and biologics will be actively pursued, and that chronic therapies, particularly those for the gastro intestinal and respiratory systems, will last long. Diabetic drugs that are currently controlling the market, I believe, will not be able to do so, for much longer, due to improved innovation in the Diabetic Theraphy solutions on the anvil.
Dr.K.Gopalakrishnan, Chief Executive Marketing & Sales, Fourrts (India) Laboratories
Dr. Gopalakrishnan has been serving his duty at Fourrts (India) Laboratories with full commitment for the past 30 years. Also, during his time as Medical Represen tative, he was named as the top representa tive in India.
Which milestones in your professional career have givenyou the most satisfaction both as an individual and as an industry leader?
The most satisfying part was bringing the company from a base of Rs. 1.5 crores to Rs.700 crores today. Second, according to Market Audit Data, Fourrts was a non-existent entity in the pharmaceutical industry, and we could now move it up to 42nd place. Sucrafil, Nefrosave, Pulmo clear, LMontus, Fourts B, and other 100 crore brands have been developed. Another rewarding feature is that I was able to develop all internal human resources and promote them to the top of management to oversee the organization's growth.
What are the changes in market behavior that you expect to see in the future, and what possibilities do you perceive?
I believe that treatment changes will occur in the pharmaceutical sector many vaccines and biologics will be actively pursued, and that chronic therapies, particularly those for the gastro intestinal and respiratory systems, will last long. Diabetic drugs that are currently controlling the market, I believe, will not be able to do so, for much longer, due to improved innovation in the Diabetic Theraphy solutions on the anvil.
Dr.K.Gopalakrishnan, Chief Executive Marketing & Sales, Fourrts (India) Laboratories
Dr. Gopalakrishnan has been serving his duty at Fourrts (India) Laboratories with full commitment for the past 30 years. Also, during his time as Medical Represen tative, he was named as the top representa tive in India.