Cipla has announced the appointment of Ms Samina Vaziralli as executive director on its board effective 10th July 2015.

Welcoming her appointment as a director, Mr Adil Zainulbhai, Independent Director and Chairman of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, Cipla said, "I am delighted to welcome Samina to the Board. She will reinforce the commitment and continuity of the Hamied family's involvement in Cipla. She will help drive Cipla to achieving its strategic vision."

Ms Samina Vaziralli said, "I am happy to be in position to contribute to steering Cipla as a member of the Board at this exciting moment. Cipla has made huge strides in the last couple of years in taking the business and the brand into new areas and I look forward to working with our leadership team on executing our strategy."

The Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on 9th July 2015 has approved the divestment of its consumer healthcare business to a wholly owned subsidiary that is proposed to be incorporated. According to the company, this development gives scope to develop the division as a strong, customer focused business with operational independence and the ability to attract and develop expertise which is more FMCG-oriented.

Commenting on these developments Mr Subhanu Saxena, MD and Global CEO, Cipla said, "I am personally delighted at having Samina on the Board as she will contribute greatly to the strategic direction of the Company. I am also very pleased that the Company is making such a positive move into the Consumer Healthcare space. There is a very good opportunity for Cipla, a Company which has contributed immensely to patient health, to also contribute to patient wellness. The over-the-counter business means that we can speak to the patient directly and help them to foster good health and illness prevention."