Early Life
Mustafa Hamied was born on October 23, 1940, into a family with deep roots in healthcare and social service. His father, Khwaja Abdul Hamied, founded Cipla in 1935 with the aim of making essential medicines accessible to all. Mustafa inherited the business along with his older brother Yusuf after their father's death.
Rise to Success
Mustafa Hamied’s career at Cipla spanned 47 years. He played a key role in the expansion of Cipla into a global pharmaceutical company. He helped Cipla grow from a company with annual sales of Rs 48 lakh in 1960 to one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in India and abroad. His strategic decisions and leadership were instrumental in Cipla's growth, expanding its presence in India, South Africa, and North America, among other markets. Hamied was the non-executive vice chairman of Cipla until September 2024.
Key Business Strategies
Hamied's business approach focused on innovation and cost-effective solutions. Cipla, under his leadership, was recognized for manufacturing high-quality, affordable generic medicines, particularly for diseases such as HIV/AIDS. This strategy not only made medication accessible to underserved populations but also challenged the dominance of multinational drug companies.
Philanthropy
Mustafa Hamied is committed to philanthropy and social responsibility. He has championed initiatives to improve healthcare infrastructure and promote public health awareness.