IES's Management College and
Research Centre

Recent Happenings

24th IES MCRC Pharma Conference on Innovative Trends in Pharma Marketing

INSIGHT 2026, the 24th IES MCRC Pharma Conference on Innovative Trends in Pharma Marketing, was held on March 11, 2026, at B.N. Vaidya Sabhagriha, Dadar. The event brought together industry experts, academicians, and students, serving as a platform for knowledge exchange, industry insights, and meaningful engagement.

The event was honoured by the presence of Chief Guest, Ms. Swati Dalal, Managing Director, Zydus Healthcare, who delivered an inspiring address highlighting the journey of her organization and the importance of innovation in the pharmaceutical industry. Her speech emphasized how companies must continuously evolve while maintaining a strong commitment to patient care and medical excellence.

Guest of Honour, Mr. Ashish Shirsat, Senior Executive Director, Blue Cross Laboratories, shared valuable industry perspectives and experiences from his professional journey. His insights provided meaningful learning for the audience and inspired students to pursue excellence in the pharmaceutical marketing domain.

A special highlight of the conference was the Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Mr. Kishore Masurkar, Chairman, Entod Pharma. His remarkable journey and immense contribution to the pharmaceutical industry were recognized during the ceremony. His achievements and leadership serve as a strong source of inspiration for aspiring professionals and entrepreneurs.

The conference also featured a thought-provoking panel discussion on “Innovative Trends in Pharma Marketing.” The distinguished panelists included:

  • Mr. Vivek Khanvilkar, Vice President, Sun Pharma
  • Mr. Alhad Mahajani, Director – Sales & Marketing, Zorvia Healthcare
  • Mr. Sourabh Agrawal, Former Vice President, Lupin
  • Mr. Vikas Dandekar, Editor, ET Pharma
  • Dr. Shailendra Tripathi, Founder, Growth Magnet Advisory LLP

was that while technology, marketing platforms, and communication methods continue to The panel discussed key developments such as digital transformation in healthcare, changing customer engagement strategies, and the evolving future of pharmaceutical marketing. A central theme highlighted during the discussion change, the core stakeholders—doctors and patients—remain at the heart of the pharmaceutical ecosystem.

The conference also celebrated the achievements of IES MCRC alumni. Ms. Sakhi Sirke was honoured with the Alumni Achievement Award in recognition of her professional accomplishments and contributions, making the IES MCRC community proud.

Industry partners also supported student excellence. ACG Worldwide and Zydus Healthcare instituted Student Excellence Awards recognizing outstanding academic performance and excellence in summer internship projects.

  • The Second Prize for the ACG Worldwide Award for Best Summer Project was awarded to Ms. Sanika Narvankar (PGDM-PM Batch 2024–2026).

The First Prize for the ACG Worldwide Award for Best Summer Project was awarded to Ms. Richa Dwivedi (PGDM-PM Batch 2024–2026).

Under the Zydus Healthcare Awards for Best Academic Performance:

  • Runner-Up: Ms. Anchal Israni (PGDM-PM Batch 2024–20
  • Winner: Ms. Gauri Thatte (PGDM-PM Batch 2024–2026)

The event also included the felicitation of principals from leading B. Pharma colleges, acknowledging their contributions to pharmaceutical education:

  • Dr. Supriya Shidhaye, Principal, Vivekanand Education Society’s College of Pharmacy
  • Dr. Munira Momin, Principal and Professor, SVKM’s Dr. Bhanuben Nanavati College of Pharmacy
  • Dr. Sunita Ogale, Principal, Viva College of Pharmacy

Special appreciation was extended to the faculty members who served as judges for the student competitions, including:

  • Mr. Melroy Mervyn D’Sa, Oriental College of Pharmacy
  • Ms. Vijetha Dabre, Gahlot Institute of Pharmacy
  • Ms. Khushboo Begwani, Bombay College of Pharmacy
  • Dr. Sanghadeep Gajbhiye from Viva Institute of Pharmacy

The second half of the conference began with an insightful session on “Career Opportunities in Pharma Marketing” by Mr. Pawan Kulkarni, General Manager – Corporate, JB Pharma, who guided students on emerging career paths and the skills required to succeed in the industry. 

The event successfully showcased student creativity, innovation, and social awareness through a series of engaging and intellectually stimulating competitions. These activities were designed to foster analytical thinking, research aptitude, and digital creativity among participants.The key competitions during the event included:

  • Scientific Poster Competition, which demonstrated students’ analytical abilities and research capabilities.
  • Patient Awareness Poster Presentation, emphasizing social responsibility and healthcare awareness.
  • Reel Making Competition (PharmaFlix), encouraging creativity and digital storytelling skills.
  • Pharma Quiz (Quizovation), aimed at testing participants’ knowledge and analytical thinking.

The Winners of Canvas for Care – Patient Awareness Poster Competition

  • First Prize: Sneha Akhilesh Tiwari
  • Second Prize: Tishya Anil Nautiyal
  • Third Prize: Amruta Shashikant Talekar

The Winners of PharmaFlix – Reel Making Competition

  • First Place: Team Aura
  • Second Place: Divine Group
  • Third Place: SunEra Wow Sunscreen

The winners of Quizovation – Pharma Quiz were announced with great enthusiasm. The first place was secured by a team comprising Sneha Tiwari, Misbah Iqra Turki, and Rishikesh Prajapati. The second place was awarded to Priya Yadav, Neha Ray, and Rizwan Pathan. The third place was achieved by Yash Chavan, Heer Mehta, and Saniya Parkar.

Winners of Scientific Poster Competition

  • First Place: Nazeen Mohd Ilyas Shaikh
  • Second Place: Sonali Anil Shukla
  • Second Place: Yash Jadhav
  • Third Place: Gaurav Sushil Singh

Overall, the event provided a dynamic platform for students to exhibit their academic excellence, creativity, and commitment to societal well-being, making it a resounding success. 

The Campus Ambassador Award was presented to Ms. Pallavi Virendra Rai from D. D. Vispute College of Pharmacy & Research Center for her outstanding contribution, active engagement, and role in motivating maximum student participation. Her efforts in coordination and promotion were highly appreciated. 

The College Engagement Award was also conferred upon D. D. Vispute College of Pharmacy & Research Center for its enthusiastic participation and consistent presence across all events.

INSIGHT 2026 concluded on a highly successful note, providing participants with valuable industry exposure, academic engagement, and opportunities for professional networking. The conference reaffirmed IES MCRC’s commitment to fostering innovation, industry collaboration, and excellence in pharmaceutical marketing education.