Yusuf Hamied Quotes

Powerful Yusuf Hamied for Daily Growth

About Yusuf Hamied

Yusuf Hamied (1923-2020) was an eminent Indian pharmaceutical industrialist and philanthropist, best known as the chairman of Cipla Limited, a global pharmaceutical company based in Mumbai. Born on December 27, 1923, in Bombay (now Mumbai), Yusuf Hamied was the son of Abdul Latif Hamied, the founder of Cipla. He completed his education at St Xavier's College, Bombay, and joined the family business after his studies. Influenced by his father's vision and humanitarian spirit, Yusuf Hamied played a pivotal role in expanding Cipla's global footprint while maintaining its commitment to providing affordable medicine to the underprivileged. He was instrumental in making Cipla a leading provider of antiretroviral drugs during the AIDS epidemic in Africa and was often referred to as the 'Mother Teresa of the Pharmaceutical Industry'. Hammed by the nickname 'The Medicine Man', Yusuf Hamied received numerous accolades for his contributions, including the Padma Shri award in 1976 and the Padma Bhushan in 2004. He was also a member of the Rajya Sabha, India's upper house of parliament, from 1980 to 1986. In his personal life, Yusuf Hamied was married to Naseem Hamied, with whom he had three children. His granddaughter, Tessa Judelsohn, is currently the managing director of Cipla. Throughout his life, Yusuf Hamied exemplified a strong commitment to philanthropy and public service, making significant contributions to various fields, including education, health, and the arts. He passed away on March 23, 2020, leaving behind a rich legacy in the Indian pharmaceutical industry and beyond.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The purpose of life is a life of purpose."

This quote by Yusuf Hamied emphasizes that living a fulfilling life is about finding one's purpose, or reason for being. In essence, it encourages individuals to seek meaning in their lives, and to pursue activities and goals that align with their values and passions. It suggests that a life without direction and aim lacks the potential to bring true happiness and satisfaction, thus underscoring the importance of self-discovery and purposeful living.


"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."

This quote emphasizes resilience and perseverance in the face of success or failure. In other words, it highlights that even when we achieve success, we should not become complacent but continue striving for more; likewise, after a failure, we must have the courage to keep trying. The true measure of one's character is found in their ability to persist and continue on their journey despite challenges or setbacks.


"Never be afraid to dream big dreams and take the risks necessary to achieve them."

This quote by Yusuf Hamied encourages individuals to embrace ambitious aspirations and take calculated risks in order to realize those dreams. It suggests that fear should not hinder one's potential or limit their pursuit of greatness. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of boldness, determination, and courage in overcoming obstacles and achieving personal and professional goals. By taking action towards our dreams, we have the power to make a significant impact on ourselves and the world around us.


"The most important thing in life is not where you stand, but the direction you are moving."

This quote emphasizes that it's not about one's current position or status, but rather about the progress and direction of one's personal growth and development. It suggests that being static or stagnant is less valuable than continually moving forward, learning, and improving oneself. The implication is that life is a journey and success lies in continually making progress, regardless of the speed or destination.


"A goal without a plan is just a wish."

This quote emphasizes the importance of having a strategic approach towards achieving one's goals. Merely desiring something isn't enough; it needs to be backed by a well-thought-out plan for success. A goal without a plan is like an aimless wish, which may never materialize. Having a plan provides direction, sets milestones, and outlines the necessary steps that lead to the achievement of the desired outcome.


If tomorrow the Chinese decide not to supply the world with raw materials, the pharma industry would collapse.

- Yusuf Hamied

Tomorrow, Raw, Raw Materials, Materials

Cipla has already developed a generic version, oseltamivir, which would be much cheaper than Tamiflu, the only available drug effective in treating avian flu.

- Yusuf Hamied

Cheaper, Available, Which, Treating

I believe that life-saving, essential drugs should be freely available and the innovator should be paid a suitable royalty payment for his invention.

- Yusuf Hamied

Available, I Believe That, Freely

I do believe anybody manufacturing products for healthcare cannot regard it truly as a 100 per cent business: it is business plus a humanitarian approach to society because you are saving lives. You are playing with people's lives.

- Yusuf Hamied

Business, Anybody, Lives, Manufacturing

AIDS today is not a death sentence. It can be treated as a chronic illness, or a chronic disease.

- Yusuf Hamied

Sentence, Disease, Treated, Chronic

Unfortunately, the mechanism for doing philanthropy in a structured way isn't yet in place in India. I already do a fair bit and support various causes such as education, sanitation, health. But selling costly drugs at affordable prices is philanthropy in itself.

- Yusuf Hamied

Education, Doing, Fair, Structured

India made a big mistake by signing up to TRIPS. With a population of 1.3 billion, India can't afford a monopoly in healthcare. Monopolies lead to higher prices and we can't allow them in a country like India with so much poverty and misery. It was like signing our own death warrant.

- Yusuf Hamied

Big, Country, Allow, Trips

If you look at the world's top 50 drugs being sold today, they are being marketed and sold by companies that did not invent them. I respect patents. I'll pay a royalty. But I shouldn't be denied the right to produce drugs for poor people at reasonable prices.

- Yusuf Hamied

World, Royalty, Reasonable, Denied

Patients are becoming aware that they're being taken for a ride by big pharma companies. They charge high prices and have never cared for India's healthcare. There are 23 million cases of cancer every year and India has a fair share of that.

- Yusuf Hamied

Big, Year, Becoming, Fair Share

Every country has the right to determine its own laws. And India can't afford monopolies.

- Yusuf Hamied

Country, Laws, Afford, Monopolies

Reducing the price of AIDS drugs gave me so much satisfaction that I've been thinking what else I could do. One day, I thought, 'Let's look at cancer and see how we can spare cancer patients' unnecessary suffering.'

- Yusuf Hamied

Suffering, Thought, Been, Cancer

Reducing the price of cancer drugs is a humanitarian move.

- Yusuf Hamied

Price, Move, Reducing, Cancer

I want it to be said when I leave this world that 'he was not just a money-making machine.'

- Yusuf Hamied

World, Want, Leave, Machine

I had seen AIDS patients in India and Africa, and knowing that people were dying even though drugs existed that could help them was shattering for me.

- Yusuf Hamied

Africa, Could, Though, AIDS

Clinton has played a major role in giving companies like Cipla credibility, for which I will always be grateful.

- Yusuf Hamied

Grateful, Always, Which, Major Role

Cipla has a strong professional management team, and we take team decisions. My brother has been working at Cipla since 1973.

- Yusuf Hamied

Team, Strong, Been, Management Team

My father never forced me, but chemistry was my best subject.

- Yusuf Hamied

Never, Forced, Subject, Chemistry

As long as I can contribute, I'll continue working.

- Yusuf Hamied

Long, Working, Continue, Contribute

Alleviation of suffering is my fundamental principle.

- Yusuf Hamied

Suffering, Principle, Fundamental

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