Lewis Lai: Balancing Career and Family
How Sanofi's employee-first culture creates opportunity in China
Lewis Lai, Direct to Patient (DTP) & Dual channel Pharmacy (DCP) Channel Manager based in Hangzhou, China, shares how Sanofi's supportive workplace policies and culture have enabled him to thrive professionally while embracing fatherhood.
Lewis holds a pharmacy degree from Zhejiang Chinese Medical University and is a licensed pharmacist. His journey with Sanofi began as an intern in 2016. After gaining experience at other pharmaceutical companies, he returned to Sanofi in 2023 to join a newly established team focused on direct-to-patient pharmacy channels.
Lewis' story exemplifies how Sanofi's commitment to employee well-being and professional development makes it a top-ranked employer in China.
Your career path has taken you through several companies. What made you decide to return to Sanofi?
After my internship at Sanofi, I really wanted to join permanently, but at the time - there wasn't a suitable position available. So I went on to work at Pfizer and MedBank to build my experience. But I always kept Sanofi in mind.
The opportunity to return came when Sanofi established a new team for managing direct-to-patient (DTP) pharmacy channels in January 2023. My previous experience in sales and pharmacy management gave me insight into the needs of business units and pharmacies, allowing me to serve as an effective bridge.
I reached out to the director of this new team and successfully rejoined Sanofi in April 2023. The timing was perfect – it felt like destiny. Sanofi is a multinational company with a strong presence in China, and this new role aligned perfectly with my expertise and career goals.
Sanofi has been recognized as China's top employer for five consecutive years. What makes it stand out from other companies?
What truly distinguishes Sanofi is how it values its employees and supports work-life balance. The most remarkable example is our parental leave policy. When my son was born in January 2024, I received 98 days equal paid Parental Leave– something extraordinarily rare in China, where most companies offer only one or two weeks at most.
This generous policy allowed me to be present during a crucial time for my family while knowing my career remained secure. My friends at other companies were amazed and envious when they heard about this benefit.
I was so moved by this policy that I shared my experience during Sanofi's first town hall meeting of 2024, speaking as a representative of new fathers. My post about this on our internal platform was a hit - receiving nearly 10,000 likes, 78,000 views, and more than 100 positive comments. It demonstrated how much employees value these supportive policies.
Beyond parental benefits, Sanofi provides numerous growth opportunities. I was selected for the Influencer project in late 2023, becoming part of the first batch of employee influencers who share their experiences on social media to attract talent to Sanofi. I was also invited to co-host the People & Culture section at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in November 2023.
These experiences create a strong connection between employees and the company. You feel valued not just for your work but as a whole person.
You work in a relatively new area – direct-to-patient pharmacy channels. How does this role contribute to patient care in China?
My role as a DTP and DCP Channel Manager is vital for ensuring patients have access to innovative medications. For example, one of our blockbuster products reaches about half of its patients through DTP pharmacies in China.
Before it was launched, many patients with a common condition went undiagnosed or were misdiagnosed. After years of market development, it's now a common treatment. However, due to their large caseloads, doctors often don't have enough time to educate patients on proper usage fully.
This is where DTP pharmacies come in – they've taken on patient follow-up and education responsibilities. Our team empowers pharmacists with product and disease knowledge to better support patients. Although we don't interact with patients directly ourselves, we help them manage their conditions more effectively through these pharmacy channels.
It's personally fulfilling work that connects to my life philosophy. "Patient is key in my life" is even my WeChat signature – meaning both being patient in life and work, and keeping patients at the center of what we do.
You mentioned "human potential is limitless" – how has this belief shaped your career?
I believe strongly in this principle and have experienced it firsthand. For instance, I worked really hard to pass the Chinese licensed pharmacy qualification exam on my first attempt after just one month of preparation – an exam with only a 13% annual passing rate.
Sanofi has reinforced this belief by providing opportunities I wouldn't have imagined possible. From joining as a channel manager to becoming an influencer and representing the company at major events – all while starting a family – I've discovered capabilities I didn't know I had.
This support allows me to continuously grow while maintaining balance between my professional responsibilities and my role as a new father. When my son Rainbow is climbing around and screaming outside my room during work hours, I'm grateful for the flexibility Sanofi provides.
By trusting employees and creating an environment where we can flourish both personally and professionally, Sanofi demonstrates that human potential truly is limitless when properly supported. This philosophy permeates the company culture and is a key reason why Sanofi remains China's top employer year after year.
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