As India’s pharma industry advances globally, emotional sustainability emerges as a vital pillar for innovation and workforce resilience

A scientist in a sterile lab. A manufacturing supervisor overseeing a critical batch. Seemingly so small, yet the microcosm of everyday life in the pharma industry. What we don’t often see are the quiet demands these roles place on people’s emotional reserves.

Behind these moments lies an industry founded on precision, dedication, and a relentless commitment to delivery. India’s pharmaceutical sector is renowned as the third-largest global producer of drugs by volume, accounting for 20% of the worldwide generic drug market. Its workforce has been instrumental in producing lifesaving medicines, maintaining regulatory standards, and ensuring top-tier manufacturing. However, like professionals everywhere, they work in an environment where the speed of innovation and the importance of delivery have never been greater. That’s why sustaining the emotional health of our people is no longer a “nice to have.” It is central to the future of work in pharma.

The Case for Emotional Sustainability

Work-related stress and burnout constitute a growing concern across sectors globally. At least one in four health and care workers worldwide experienced symptoms of anxiety, depression, or burnout between 2020 and 2022.

In India’s pharmaceutical and healthcare sector, physical safety standards are strong — 93% of employees feel secure in their work environment. However, 12% say they feel psychologically or emotionally unsafe, and that’s a substantial gap to close. Many professionals work under sustained pressure, managing complex responsibilities in environments with minimal or no margin for error.

What is our understanding of emotional sustainability? It’s all about keeping the business operating at its best. When emotional reserves run low, accuracy declines, decisions slow down, and attrition increases. In pharma, the stakes are even higher: regulatory delays can delay approvals, quality issues in manufacturing can compromise safety, and a loss of scientific engagement can stall innovation.

For Indian pharma, fostering emotional resilience in the workplace is not only good for people, it also provides leaders with a decisive edge – it strengthens innovation pipelines, safeguards quality, and enhances the sector’s reputation as the “pharmacy of the world.”

Building Emotionally Sustainable Workplaces

Turning this from aspiration into reality requires deliberate action. Culture and systems are both important. Here are five ways to start:

 1. Create a Recovery-Oriented Culture
Encourage rest. Respect time off. This isn’t about slowing down — it’s about sustaining high performance. Micro-breaks, realistic deadlines, and mindful workload planning help teams stay sharp.

2. Elevate Purpose
Pharma professionals change lives every day, but that connection can weaken. Sharing patient stories, celebrating regulatory milestones, and recognizing research breakthroughs keep purpose strong.

3. Offer Flexibility in Demanding Roles
Flexibility doesn’t always mean remote work. Staggered shifts, hybrid options where possible, and workload adjustments during peak cycles can reduce chronic stress without hurting output.

4. Strengthen Emotional Skills and Support Systems
Empathy training, resilience workshops, and mental health first aid prepare teams to face challenges. Access to counselling and peer networks enhances psychological safety.

5. Lead by Example
Leaders typically set the tone for the rest of the organization. When managers respect boundaries, recognize pressures, and openly discuss wellbeing, it helps establish a healthy work culture.

6. From Vision to Action
Start small. Pilot initiatives. Track results—attrition, absenteeism, engagement, and productivity. Once you observe the impact, expand it across the organization and incorporate it into leadership KPIs.

Shaping the Future: Technology and Beyond

The next chapter in workplace resilience will be shaped by technology. Digital transformation in pharma is changing how medicines are discovered, developed, and delivered — and how employees experience their work.

Technology can generate pressure. A 2024 study found that frustration with tech closely links to stress and emotional exhaustion among healthcare staff. Complex systems, steep learning curves, and constant change can all increase strain if not managed properly.

However, innovation can also be a strong partner. AI-powered R&D simplifies data collection, trial monitoring, and predictive analytics, reducing manual effort and lowering the mental burden for researchers and clinical teams. In clinical development, decentralized and hybrid trials enable participants and staff to participate remotely, cutting travel by up to 30% and enhancing work-life balance. Tools like e-consent forms and QR-coded trial kits eliminate trial procedure obstacles, boosting patient experience and staff productivity.

The takeaway? Technology needs to be paired with change management, training, and emotional support. It strengthens workforce resilience and empowers teams instead of overwhelming them.

As Indian pharma moves into biosimilars, gene therapies, and AI-driven R&D, its greatest innovation engine will remain its people. The sector has the opportunity to lead in creating workplaces where employees can flourish despite challenges — building healthier, more engaged teams and strengthening India’s reputation as a trusted global healthcare leader.
In the next decade, emotional sustainability will be as important as technology and R&D for gaining a competitive edge. Indian pharma can lead the way — showing that when people succeed, innovation naturally follows.

This article was first published in the Businessworld People on October 10, 2025 on account of World Mental Health Day.