The Pharma Queen Of India
Namita Thapar, Executive Director at Emcure Pharmaceuticals Limited, is passionate about promoting youth entrepreneurship and improving women’s health in India. Hailed as the ‘Pharma Queen’ of India aka ‘Pharmaa’, she manages Emcure’s pan-India operations of over 3,000 medical representatives. During the pandemic, she launched a YouTube talk show on women’s health titled Uncondition Yourself With Namita Thapar. The aim was to provide women with a safe platform to discuss mental health, menstrual, and sexual health. Through the show, she raised awareness about topics that women in India seldom discuss openly.
Thapar started her pharma career at Guidant Corporation in the US. After spending more than half a decade in the company, she decided to return to India. She wanted to pursue a career path that her country benefited from. In 2007, she joined Emcure as chief financial officer. She had bright plans for the firm and started juggling a multifunctional portfolio including finance, marketing, home advertising, and HR. She simultaneously leads Incredible Ventures Ltd, an education company that aims to teach the nuances of entrepreneurship to the youth.
Power Move
Thapar was recently seen in the Indian adaptation of Shark Tank. She evaluated around 170 pitches and invested Rs 10 crore in 25 businesses that struck a chord with her. One of her most famous dialogues from Shark Tank India also became a viral meme format. ‘This is not my expertise. For that reason, I am out,’ she said for several pitches. There was a crucial investment mantra embedded in Thapar’s viral words. They succinctly summarised her approach to business and life—take risks, have faith but never jump into anything headfirst.
The POPxo Power Women List is an annual list that celebrates incredible Indian women from diverse domains who make power moves that have a real impact. With The POPxo Power Women List 2022, we celebrate 22 phenomenal women. To see the entire list, click here.
