Dato’ Farshila Binti Emran took the helm of Pharmaniaga in 2011, leading the company through a crucial transition period following a new concession agreement with Malaysia’s Ministry of Health. The agreement introduced strict delivery requirements, reducing the timeframe for pharmaceutical product deliveries from 60 days to just seven in Peninsular Malaysia and ten in Sabah and Sarawak. Additionally, Pharmaniaga was tasked with developing the Pharmaceutical Information System (PhIS), an online real-time system for government hospitals and clinics.
Faced with these challenges, Dato’ Farshila and her team took a hands-on approach, working closely with employees to identify and resolve operational bottlenecks. Within just six months, Pharmaniaga successfully met the new delivery targets, and the PhIS system was completed on schedule. She credits this success to strong teamwork and mutual trust between management and employees, a foundation that continues to drive Pharmaniaga’s growth.
A Visionary Leader with a Commitment to Excellence
Born in Singapore, Dato’ Farshila is a graduate of MARA Institute of Technology and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration at Northern University of Malaysia. She emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning and mentorship, citing former Khazanah Nasional Berhad Deputy Chairman, Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, as a key influence in her career. His advice to focus on her strengths has shaped her leadership approach and professional growth.
Under her leadership, Pharmaniaga achieved major milestones, including the acquisition of PT Errita Pharma in Indonesia and the awarding of the European Union (EU) Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification to its sterile small volume injectable (SVI) plant, Pharmaniaga LifeScience Sdn Bhd (PLS), by Infarmed Portugal in 2013. These moves strengthened the company’s regional footprint and elevated its global standing.
Pharmaniaga is also a leader in halal pharmaceuticals, with four of its six manufacturing plants in Malaysia certified by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM). By the end of 2018, the company aimed to have over 200 certified halal products, reinforcing its commitment to meeting the needs of Muslim consumers worldwide.
Passion for Patients and Customer-Centric Approach
Guided by the philosophy of “doing business with conscience” and the motto “Passion for Patients,” Pharmaniaga prioritizes customer satisfaction. The company operates a dedicated Customer Care Call Centre and maintains regular dialogues with clients to address concerns. Its commitment to excellence is reflected in consistently high ratings in biannual Customer Feedback Surveys.
Dato’ Farshila believes in a leadership style that balances speed and sustainability. “If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together,” she says, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and collaboration. While she is willing to take risks, she also values the insights of her trusted team before making critical decisions.
A Strong Advocate for Employee Engagement and Work-Life Balance
Pharmaniaga employs nearly 2,000 staff in Malaysia and 1,000 in Indonesia, fostering a workplace culture that values employee engagement. In 2016, the company scored 18% higher than the national average in Employee Engagement Surveys (EES) conducted by Aon. Dato’ Farshila maintains an open-door policy, engaging directly with employees to understand challenges and encourage innovative ideas that enhance business operations.
She is also a firm believer in work-life balance. “Success is meaningless if we are all alone and unable to share it with our loved ones, whom we could have neglected on our way to the top,” she says, stressing the need for entrepreneurs to maintain a healthy balance between work and personal life.
Empowering Future Entrepreneurs
Dato’ Farshila encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to develop a clear vision and work hard to bring it to life. She advises translating that vision into a mission and objectives that align the entire organization toward a shared goal. For young women in business, she emphasizes the importance of continuous learning, mentorship, and resilience.
“Gender has never been an issue for me in this industry because I believe that performance speaks the loudest. It does not matter if you are a man or a woman because the challenges faced are the same,” she asserts. As a recipient of the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year award, she continues to inspire the next generation of leaders with her dedication to excellence, innovation, and integrity.
