Dr. Reddy started his career in Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited (IDPL) (1969–1975), then he left the job to found Uniloids Ltd in 1976, founded Standard Organics Limited (SOL) in 1980, before founding Dr Reddy's Labs in 1984 with an initial capital of Rs 25 lakh and he is worth $1.4 Billion US Dollars. Under his leadership, DRL has been a pioneer and trendsetter in the Indian Pharmaceutical industry.
Here are some of the highlights of his life:
Contribution to Hyderabad Growth:
In 1970s, Pharma industry was not that big in Hyderabad and there were only handful of companies. Those companies used to produce the medicines for people of AP and all those were basic medications. Dr. Anji Reddy was the pioneer for Pharma Industry, who brought the Pharma Industry to India and put the Hyderabad in world map much before the IT industry. At some point of time, 80% of World Ibuprofen drug consumption was being produced in Hyderabad. All the credit for this goes to Dr. Anji Reddy. Dr. Reddy has given employment to thousands of families in Hyderabad directly and lakhs of families benefited indirectly and touched millions of people around the world through his medicines.
To give you an example, when USA worried about Swine Flu, USA looked at Andhra Pradesh to get the medication for entire USA. Within a short period of time, AP has sent the shipments to USA. That is the power of AP Pharma industry now. Hetero Drugs has supplied that medication. Even when IT industry has ups and downs, Hyderabad did not face the down turn because Pharma industry is stable. I do not have the numbers but 20% of Hyderabad growth can be credited to Pharma Industry.
Inspirational to several:
Dr. Anji Reddy has been inspirational to several industrialists in Andhra Pradesh. Some of the Industrialist were fortunate to work directly with him and some industrialists were indirectly inspired by him and started Pharma industries with confidence. There are hundreds of Ancillary units to Pharma industry. Whole Pharma Industry should be thankful to him. Hundreds of industrialists in Hyderabad either worked in Dr. Reddy Labs or supplied products to DRL. Hetero Drugs Parthasarathi Reddy, Aurabindo Ram Prasad Reddy, Divi Labs Murali, Virco Narayana Reddy and Venkata Reddy have worked for him and started the companies on their own. It is very hard to find a pharmacy company owner who did not work for Dr. Reddy.
Gave financial support to several:
Dr. Anji Reddy has given employment to hundreds of families in 1980s, later become thousands and lakhs in 1990s. Thousands of families directly benefited by this and because of the employment, these families were able to afford higher studies for their kids and relatives. This was indirect help to thousands of families and he was The God to several families. I personally know a lot of families, who did not have basic education to get the job, but they got the jobs in 1980s and 1990s and now their families are rich and living in high standards. They are very fortunate to have an Industrialist like Dr. Anji Reddy.
Cost of the Drugs:
Most of the drugs are invented in Developed countries like USA, Germany and they charge very high prices. If you convert the same dollars and try to sell for the same price, not even one percent of the people in India can afford it. This is where Dr. Reddy made a difference, Hyderabad became a Pharma hub and most of the medicines are being produced in AP. Even though Dr. Reddy has been selling for higher prices to US companies, Reddy Labs has been selling for nominal cost in India. This is not only in India but also other developing countries in Africa and Asia got benefited by this. Because of this philosophy, medicine costs were down and even poor people can afford medication. This is how Dr. Reddy touched millions of people around the world.
Charitable Contributions:
After few years and seeing ups and downs of life, Dr. Reddy started Nandi Foundation. To give you an example, Dr. Reddy bought Mercedes Benz S500 at his earlier years and only two other people (Dheerubai Ambani and RP Goenka) had that car in India at that time. He bought Honda Accord in his later days and his son Mr. Satish Reddy asked why do not you buy latest car and he said instead of spending one crore on the good car, I will buy Honda Accord and the balance amount could be donated to Nandi Foundation so that poor people can be benefited. Through Nandi foundation, he has helped various water purification plants and other poor people. He has helped LV Prasad eye institute also.
Awards:
Dr. Anji Reddy has received so many awards. Here are some of awards: “Padma Bhushan” one of the highest civilian Award by Indian Government in 2011, Padma Shri in 2001, Sir PC Ray award (1984 and 1992), Businessman of the Year in 2001; CHEMTECH Foundation 'Hall of Fame' award in 2005.
My personal experience:
As a family friend, I had the privilege to meet him few times and closely observe him since 1980s. I know hundreds of families who worked for him and got benefited. We had a good conversation about the American Universities and he shared his USA experiences with me. He has visited USA several times and his son Sathish Reddy studied in USA. He has inspired me and encouraged me to come to USA for higher studies. I am always thankful to him from bottom of my heart.
I am sure his son Satish Reddy has big shoes to fill in and he has been helping DRL. I wish him good luck and hoping that he will carry the legacy of his father Dr. Anji Reddy. We all miss Dr. Reddy and Andhra Pradesh would not see a Visionary Industrialist like him. May his soul rest in peace in heaven.
Alla Rami Reddy
New York (USA)
