Pfizer appoints Aijaz Tobaccowalla as India Managing Director

To take over as Managing Director from August 16

Drug firm Pfizer Ltd, the Indian arm of global major Pfizer Inc, today said it has appointed Aijaz Tobaccowalla as the Managing Director to replace Kewal Handa, who had earlier this year announced his intention to retire in August 2012.

"With more than 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Aijaz, is a seasoned leader who will continue to lead Pfizer India through this exciting period," Pfizer Regional President, Emerging Markets Europe, Russia, India and Turkey (EURIT) Ahmet Goksun said in a statement.

Tobaccowalla would be taking over as Managing Director (MD) from August 16, it added.

He joined Wyeth in 1991 and since then has held a number of positions in business technology as a member of the leadership teams of Pfizer WBB, R&D, and PCBU, the company said.

In 2009 Tobaccowalla was appointed to his most recent role, leading business technology for Pfizer's all biopharmaceutical business units, it added.

Handa, who will retire from the company in August after two decades of association with the firm, is credited with Pfizer's entry into branded generics segment in India.

"We thank Kewal for his many contributions at Pfizer. Under his leadership, Pfizer India became the first multi-national pharmaceutical company to enter the branded generics market, and became a leader in exploring unique partnerships with the government to increase market access," Ahmet added.

Handa, who also held the position of Chief Financial Officer, has been the Managing Director of the company for the last seven years.

Headquartered in Mumbai Pfizer Ltd has over 2,300 employees and a manufacturing facility at Thane.