Prof. Dr. Madeeha Malik
Hello Madeeha,
Thank you for agreeing to do this interview. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your career?
Hello! I am Prof. Dr. Madeeha Malik, a healthcare service entrepreneur, researcher, trainer, community builder, pharmacist, academician, and advocate of gender equity. I did my Ph.D. in Pharmacy Practice from University Sains Malaysia and my post-doctorate in Pharmacy Practice from Northwest University, South Africa. I have published more than 120 research articles & had supervised more than 70 postgraduate students. My name has been included among the top 1% of pharmacy researchers in the world by expertscape in 2021. I founded Cyntax Health Projects in the year 2020, a CRO & Corporate firm registered with the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) and SECP. Currently, I am serving as the CEO of my organization which is the first-ever female pharmacist-led CRO registered by DRAP in the country. I am also the Alumni of American Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) and Miller Centre for Entrepreneurship and recently received PAUN Distinguished Alumni Awards 2022 by the US Embassy. I have also served as a facilitator for AWE program, US Embassy, Muzzafarabad Cohort, 2022. I secured third position in the AWE seed funding competition and launched the first body positivity support program of Pakistan with the help of the US Embassy offering 59 organic skincare, wellness products, and a pret wear brand with a flexible size range along with free screening and counseling services for breaking stereotypes attached to body appearances and mental health in Pakistan.
I feel proud to share that I am the 1st female pharmacist who has been awarded a Leadership Award 2022 by the President of Pakistan and also the first pharmacist awarded with Fatima Jinnah National Pride Award 2021 by the Government of Punjab for exemplary contributions in the field of Education and Research. I am also the recipient of the 1st Business Excellence Award 2022 by the Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce, Government of Pakistan. Moreover, I have also served as a consultant for the Pakistan Pharmacy Council, Ministry of Health, DRAP, and Infection Control & Prevention Committee.
Congratulations on being selected as one of the 20 amazing FIP WiSE rising stars. How are you able to juggle being a Pharmacist, an academician, and yet an entrepreneur?
Thanks. To be honest it is really hard to balance all three. It takes a lot of effort, hard work, determination, sleepless nights, and facing negative criticism to achieve my goals. But in the end when my passion and hard work pay me back and my achievements are acknowledged that feeling gives me the strength to move ahead. But I always define my long and short-term goals with set timelines and targets and stick to the plan no matter what happens. I think setting priorities with defined goals and time management helps me to effectively manage everything.
You are the youngest and only female professor in the Pharmacy Practice department in Pakistan. Wow! How has this been for you? How do you hope to change the status quo?
To tell you the truth it was never easy. I was one of those women who use to think that gender equity is not an issue in Pakistan but when I faced it myself that was the time when I realised it was one of the biggest challenges we are facing at present. If you are growing exceptionally at a younger age and a woman then definitely you have to face a lack of societal and system support, workplace biases, bypassing hierarchies, and toxic work culture which was the same in my case. But I must say that besides this my mentor who is in fact also a male really pushed me through this tough journey and helped me to transform myself into a better human being and professional and achieve all this. Besides this, my team really stood with me through thick and thin.
Well, it will take time to change the status quo but I have taken an initiative for this. I launched Women Healthcare Professionals Resource Hub with a clear roadmap that sets out milestones and outcomes for female healthcare workforce development in terms of advanced practice, research, digital health, mental health, early career, entrepreneurship, quality in education & training, and service development driven in cooperation with National as well as International partners. The Hub has also launched an Online Magazine with the name “She Matters” to promote and highlight issues linked to gender equity and women empowerment. Besides this, Dhaaga is another project launched to promote women’s economic empowerment in Pakistan. The team behind this initiative is a group of empowered women healthcare professionals led by myself working for the economic empowerment of women belonging to underprivileged areas of Pakistan by providing them with skills, training, and opportunities for earning.
What has been your motivation all these while and what advice do you have to give to young pharmacists in FIP-ECPG?
My motivation all these years was to be my own boss. I wanted to work with a team of like-minded people and to be a boss for them as I always wanted for myself. Besides this, the negativity and toxicity I faced at my workplace during the last three years actually drove me to be an entrepreneur and set a legacy for others to follow and step out of their comfort zone and pursue their dreams.
I would like to take this opportunity to advise young pharmacists to be focused, devise a clear career roadmap, and select a mentor. All you have to do is to acquire sound knowledge, skills, and guidance from only your mentor, remove toxic people from your life and stick to the plan. I strongly believe if you will follow this you will definitely achieve your goals.
What is your advice to young pharmacists who are interested in entrepreneurship?
As an entrepreneur I would advise all those young pharmacists interested in entrepreneurship that only an idea is not enough to be an entrepreneur; it asks for enabling environment, resources, and mentorship to make that idea really work. So develop your business plan after acquiring appropriate skills and investment readiness. Believe in yourself and face your fears. It is ok to take risks and fail than to never step out of your comfort zone and kept being bullied. Always invest in an idea that is your passion only then you will be all out to acquire all the right skills to implement it into reality at any cost. Have faith in God and trust me the sky is the limit.
