About 24 years ago, Julia Samohvalova, OTC Business Development Manager, joined the pharmaceutical industry by chance. From editing medical journals to becoming a medical representative for a well-known Swiss company, climbing the ranks and eventually joining Dr Reddy’s, Russia, in January 1999 to lead the OTC division, she has come a long way.
“When I joined, we had a small portfolio and a team of around 60 people,” says Julia. She immediately got to work, reshaping the portfolio, growing the team and building a strong brand in the geography. Today, the team has expanded to include 200 medical representatives and 30 managers; according to IQVIA, Dr Reddy’s is among the top 20 OTC companies in Russia. “We now have a serious business created in collaboration with our marketing and leadership teams,” she says.
One of Julia’s strongest characteristics is her ability to motivate her team, listening to them and helping them to grow professionally. “OTC is a tough business,” she says. The team takes their mission to deliver inexpensive but effective products to the Russian population very seriously. “Dr Reddy’s has always struck the right balance between price and quality,” Julia says. “We are a big commercial organisation with a human face, because in Russia, we cannot do anything without believing in it!”
Today, there is a lot to write about. Dr. Reddy’s Russia which is the market leader when it comes to anti-allergy, pain relief and pregnancy vitamin products. Next year, six new launches are on the cards — a huge challenge but easily overcome by Julia and her strong and motivated team. “We have the same approach and view,” she says. “If I need something at midnight, I’ll get it, because we’re on the same page about everything.”
But for Julia, the secret to professional success is family. “For a woman, it’s important to find a balance between her personal and professional life,” she says. “Work takes a lot of out of us, so without family it’s difficult to be successful. We need to be organised on all levels.” It was “psychologically hard” for her to leave her 10-month-old son behind at home to go on business trips, but she made sure everything was taken care of. “Plus, there’s the feeling of pure happiness when you come home, and your child runs to you and kisses you!”
Julia has an enduring love for travel, and as a family, they take off to interesting places whenever there’s an opportunity. She also enjoys visiting museums and exhibits, a nod to her educational background in architecture. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the ensuing economic crisis pushed Julia to transition to pharma. “Our life was not easy, but I decided to try and I’m still here,” she smiles. “I hope my experiences make my son stronger and a better man.”