Lupin sets off Indian pharma's long road to redemption

Goa

IN 28 years in India's pharmaceuticals sector, Rajiv Desai has never been busier. Most of the last six months on his desk calendar is marked green, indicating visits to the 12 plants of Lupin, India's No 2 drugmaker, where Mr Desai is a senior quality control executive. Only one day is red - a day off.

That's what is needed these days to satisfy the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that standards are being met. "In this sector, you're only as good as your last inspection," Mr Desai said in his office in suburban Mumbai.

Often dubbed "the pharmacy of the world", In…