Ep 3: AI in Pharma (Part 1)

What does it take to build AI into an enterprise supply chain that spans oncology, generics and global markets? In the latest episode of Bottom Line on AI, host Srividya Kannan discusses the strategic role of AI across banking, consumer goods and pharmaceuticals with Meenakshi Chhajer, Global Digital Supply Chain Head at Dr. Reddy's Laboratories. This conversation was so comprehensive that we have divided it into two parts. Part 1 is available now. Drawing on 18 years across BFSI, CPG and pharma, Meenakshi unpacks the 25 to 30 year AI maturity gap between banking and pharma, why Indian generic pharma is set to catch up with FMCG in the next 4 to 5 years, and how Dr. Reddy's is applying a three-layered approach to AI — starting with process digitalisation, then data strategy, then intelligent systems on top. She shares real examples from demand forecasting, quality management on the shop floor, logistics and PAL, an agentic AI assistant being piloted to take the drudgery out of procurement contracts. This episode explores why the discipline of getting the basics right — digitalised processes, reliable data — is what actually separates AI hype from enterprise outcomes. Watch now to understand what AI adoption looks like inside one of India's largest pharmaceutical companies. Subscribe to our channel for Part 2 and more discussions with business leaders turning AI concepts into measurable impact.