Interview Dumonpierre-Pharma Week TV Program

Interview Dumonpierre

Pharma Week TV Program

Simon Bayarde


Abstract: Simon Bayarde and Eric Dumonpierre exchange views about Dumonpierre’s works and expertise in the field of pharmaceuticals, review his book “Strategic Pharmaceutical”, and discuss the present and future issues of Laboratoires Berden.


SB - Dear friends at home or in studio, here we are again at “Pharma Week”, to keep you company for the next 15 minutes as usual. We have a special event tonight, and are very pleased to welcome in the studio with us Mr. Eric Dumonpierre, the brilliant CEO of well-known Laboratoires Berden. Welcome on board, M. Dumonpierre!

ED – Thanks a lot for the invitation, it is always a pleasure to be in the company of people as passionate about the health and environment as you are.

SB – Thank you. Even though no introduction is needed, it is important to mention that M. Dumonpierre has been working in the pharmaceutical industry for more than 20 years and is one of the most experienced managers in Europe in this field; in more recent years, Eric Dumonpierre published his first book, “Strategic Pharmaceutical”, and gained the Award as best CEO of the Year in France, which he received with humility, always stressing the importance of the whole company’s contribution for this prize. So, M. Dumonpierre, would you first comment about the impact of your first book?

ED - With pleasure. As many people may know, it was written some time ago, in 1991, while I was still working for Hyppo Inc. Since then many things have changed, but my resolve has not. I continue to act with the same enthusiasm and eagerness to build a better world for everyone - society, my family, and especially the people who help me with their great job at Laboratoires Berden. I like to think of the book as “a mix of thoughts, hopes, expectations, and expertise” on what I find to be the meaning of working in the pharmaceutical industry. I have tried to put together strategic theories and the more human dimension, and I have tried to share the expertise and the beliefs I have gained in my 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical sector with everyone, especially the actors of the industry.

SB – The same experience which led toward the creation of the Laboratoires Berden?

ED – Yes, it was something I wanted to do: create a new, innovative enterprise. It is not completely to my own credit, I like to say, but more to all the people who work with me. This comes from my core values: I try to take into account many points of views before making important decisions. People truly are the heart of the Laboratoires’ business. I am pleased to say that even after 20 additional years of experience, I am able to perform my job with the same great pleasure.

SB – The company was awarded many important prizes: you yourself were nominated “CEO of the year”, and more recently the company gained the Mixity Label.

ED – As for myself, I was quite surprised to receive the Award. I feel as if there are more deserving CEOs who have achieved than myself. In any case, it was a welcome reward for many years of hard work and dedication.

On the other hand, obtaining the Mixity Label was something great for the entire company. At Laboratoires Berden we strongly believe in the power of people, as I said, and we have always encouraged diversity in our team. We built a special support program to encourage even more this important feature, and this is the result. I want to thank all my friends of Laboratories Berden, because this is a victory for all of us and gives us more strength to keep on this path. My aim is to be recognized as a contributor of social wealth to the society, rather than only a pharmaceutical company. In today’s world, society and business have to go in the same direction: this is what we, at Laboratoires Berden, try to do day after day.

SB – In the last month, however, you have been attacked on all fronts by NGOs for the working conditions of your factory in Mabhuti. What is the your position on this issue?

ED – I think the effort NGOs put in denouncing bad habits in companies is remarkable, I would say fundamental. As I said, I am among the ones who believe society and business should walk the same path. This means everybody has to contribute, and partnership is important between all actors, especially in a historically controversial sector such as pharmaceuticals: NGOs, companies, governments, all have to work together to fight illegal or ethically bad practices.

People like me, managers directly involved in this specific sector, have the obligation to acknowledge the fact that many enterprises don’t, and have never, taken into account the health and working conditions of their employees, both in their home countries and abroad. I am not saying this problem does not exist: sadly, it is a quite persistent. And I am thankful to associations and NGOs who put effort in these activities of denouncement. It is important, however, to stress once more the importance that Laboratoires Berden gives to our workers, who are not only “resources”, as many companies have considered them in history, but a real part of the “Berden family”; our decision of delocalizing in Mabhuti is the result of a long study taking into account economic, social and environmental issues, and has been carefully discussed within the company. Our goal is not at all exploiting young, cheap workers to get more profit, as many believe, but rather crating wealth and better living conditions for many families in this country, through access to jobs, a fair pay, above-law standard working conditions.

As our representatives in-loco have stressed recently, the reports we get from consultants are just a necessary part of our assessment procedure, a first step. The way we act in our day-to-day activities is always connected to our long term strategy, which is one of a sustainable growth.

Of course, the creation of the Berden Academy is one important step in this direction, but not the only one. Improving living conditions of our employees is something you build in the long run, and as with many activities at the very heart of a company’s business, something for which you have to have a vision. We have been building this vision for years now.

SB – Still, a manager of your own company has recently denounced the conduct of Laboratoires Berden in Mabhuti. What does he refer to?

ED – The situation is quite clear: Laboratoires Berden acquired a factory in Mabhuti based on our need for consistent growth, without forgetting for a moment the fact that we entered this market with a mission. We employ 18 girls aged 14-15 on a packaging line with a workload well below half of the country’s average, which goes in line with our goal of helping children and their families out of poverty. Another company could easily have employed half of the people for the double of hours and adhered to local law, but we didn’t. We chose social contribution above profits and remained coherent with Berden’s vision.

Now, in this world we live in, there are lots of people trying to take advantage of a particular situation. I think this is the case with our manager. I want to make it clear, and to reassure everybody, that Laboratoires Berden is doing things properly in Mabhuti. Changes of the ingrained habits in underdeveloped nations may take long time, but we’re on the right track and I’m sure all the skeptics will soon be convinced of our good faith.

Of course we knew of the existence of child labour in Mabhuti before coming here, but our excellent research allowed us to see the labor laws as an opportunity for local development rather than exploitation. I think it is fundamental to know the risks that people face in any country if you want to assure that no harm comes to your employees.

SB – Thanks a lot, M. Dumonpierre. It was a very interesting conversation, but unfortunately time is up. This was Eric Dumonpierre, CEO of Laboratoires Berden. Thank you for your contribution.

ED – It was a pleasure. Thanks to you, and to all our friends at home.

SB – See you all next week, on “Pharma Week”!