By admin With a team of more than 100 professionals spread across India and China with multi-location distribution facilities across India, Shah TC has established itself as the leading API distributor in India not only in terms of volume but also in number of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) registrations in the Indian market. Its key therapeutic segments are cardiovascular, anti-diabetic, antibiotic and vitamins among others. Its current focus lies on making pharma supply chains more resilient and reliable for our customers and suppliers alike.
As India’s largest API distributor, it has 80 plus registered products with 22 plus years of industry expertise and a reliable network of API suppliers in India and China. The company’s unique distribution model and infrastructure makes it the perfect partner for all pharmaceutical ingredient requirements from Asia. Its principal products segments comprise of API, intermediates, solvents, formulations, and excipients.
In an exclusive interview with Shardul Nautiyal from Pharmabiz, Mehul Shah, Founder of Shah TC, talks about the recent setting up of a new warehouse at Sonipat, Haryana which is strategically located to cater to the North Indian pharma market, which is home to around 40% of the API consumers. With this warehouse, Shah TC aims to deliver orders to North Indian customers within hours, not days. This will help customers cut down their inventory levels and improve their efficiency multi-folds compared to current supplies from western and southern states.
He also gives a low down of the recent advancements and challenges in the Indian pharmaceutical distribution sector. He further sheds light on the company’s efforts to modernize the supply chain, enhance quality, and ensure regulatory compliance.
What recent initiatives have Shah TC undertaken to address gaps in the pharmaceutical supply chain?
Over the past few years, we conducted a comprehensive study to understand the distribution gaps in the pharmaceutical supply chain, which was traditionally managed. Our focus has shifted towards providing end-to-end solutions, covering everything from procurement to obtaining regulatory approvals from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). We’ve developed a complete solution for documentation and approval systems.
Additionally, we’ve established warehouses focused on storing API and other healthcare raw materials, targeting the raising bar of Indian quality standards. These facilities are GSP (Good Storage Practice) compliant, which could become mandatory practice over time, addressing poor infrastructure in distribution. Unfortunately, in the domestic market, there is a significant gap between regulatory requirements and actual practices, which needs urgent attention.
How are you addressing the challenges of cold storage and inventory management?
We’ve built a new warehouse in an industrial zone in Sonipat, Haryana with excellent connectivity to regions like Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Haridwar, and Roorkee. This is one of our Green Field projects, developed from scratch with an eco-friendly approach. The facility includes a cold storage unit that maintains temperatures between 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, which is crucial for preserving many critical APIs.
In India, proper storage is often neglected, even though labels clearly mandate specific temperature conditions. We’ve implemented a state-of-the-art inventory management system to ensure real-time tracking and management of stock. This system helps maintain product quality and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Can you elaborate on your plans for track and trace solutions in pharmaceutical logistics?
We are in the process of integrating specialized Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and are in discussions to create a track and trace solution for every consignment. This will involve tagging each drum and consignment with GPS-enabled microchips, allowing for precise tracking and traceability. This technology is crucial for identifying and ensuring the quality of APIs throughout the supply chain.
What are the primary challenges in international trade operations for pharmaceuticals, and how are you addressing them?
The international trade of pharmaceuticals is fraught with challenges such as regulatory compliance, infrastructure issues, and varying storage conditions. In India, these challenges are compounded by poor infrastructure and inconsistent regulatory enforcement. However, the industry remains vibrant due to its large consumption base and the growing credibility of Indian products in global markets.
We are focused on overcoming these challenges by investing in quality infrastructure, ensuring compliance with international guidelines, and enhancing our logistics capabilities. Our warehouses are designed to meet the highest standards, and we are continually improving our processes to reduce turnaround times and enhance delivery efficiency.
What are your future plans for expanding distribution facilities and infrastructure?
We are committed to reinventing our distribution model to add value for our customers. Our future plans include expanding our distribution facilities across India, investing heavily in quality measures, and enhancing traceability. We aim to be a value-added distributor, ensuring that our customers receive the best quality APIs and formulations.
In regions like Dehradun, Haridwar, Solan, Jammu, Amritsar and Ludhiana, we plan to establish more facilities that adhere to stringent quality and cleanliness standards. By continuously improving our logistics and distribution practices, we aim to set new benchmarks in the industry and meet the evolving needs of our customers.
By focusing on innovation, automation, and adherence to regulatory standards, we are confident in our ability to deliver high-quality pharmaceutical products that meet both domestic and international demands. Shah TC believes in a comprehensive approach and commitment towards transforming the pharmaceutical supply chain in India, ensuring quality, compliance, and efficiency at every step.
What regions does Shah TC aim to target for gaining a stronghold in ROW markets?
Shah TC aims to gain a stronghold in ROW markets within the South East Asian, Middle Eastern, North African, and Latin American regions. Our extensive customer database of end users, local agents, and manufacturers provides the perfect mix for simplifying the entire pharmaceutical supply chain spectrum.
Shah TC has an aggressive strategy directed at developing a global presence in the shortest timelines. We welcome all proposals for collaboration from parties desiring to make a stronger global footprint for their products or develop reliable supply chains from Asia.
How has your expertise in APIs contributed to your leadership position in the Indian bulk drug industry?
Our expertise in supplying APIs of Chinese origin, which meet the quality and price expectations of our customers, is the major driving force that has helped build our leadership position in the Indian bulk drug industry.
What strategies does your sales department use to improve customer outreach?
The sales department consistently identifies new methods to improve our outreach to our valued customers via improved marketing techniques, efficient time management, enhanced customer relationship tools, training programs, CRM software, data analysis, and forecasting. This ensures we provide our customers with the best in-class customer service.
The strength of our relations with our suppliers, customers, bankers, shareholders, and other business associates has played a major role in consolidating our position at the forefront of the Indian bulk drug industry.
How important is CSR to Shah TC?
Undeniably, CSR is a core value that is deeply embedded in our culture at Shah TC. Our teams across the globe are committed to being responsible and caring citizens in each and every community we live and work within. The spirit of philanthropy is transpired from the founders of Shah TC down to every employee within the organization.
What are the objectives of Shah TC’s CSR initiatives?
With an objective of creating a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable community in whichever manner we can, we strive to utilize these efforts to be socially accountable to ourselves as well as the public.