CEO Insights Magazine

Leadership within the pharmaceutical landscape demands more than business expertise, it requires responsibility, foresight, and a profound understanding of healthcare’s societal impact. Leaders in this space must navigate regulation, innovation, and patient needs with equal precision, shaping pathways that enable access, trust, and meaningful progress. True leadership emerges not only through organizational growth, but through the ability to influence the health outcomes of communities and strengthen healthcare ecosystems over time. It is within this context that Fatima Shubber, Managing Director of Shubber Scientific Bureau, stands as a defining example of modern leadership.

Coming from a respected business legacy, Fatima has transformed continuity into impact, bridging tradition with innovation and demonstrating what purposeful leadership can achieve in Iraq’s rapidly evolving pharmaceutical sector. Her journey began after graduating as a pharmacist in 2009, when she joined the family business as Business Development Manager. Recognizing an opportunity to expand access to global healthcare advancements, she helped establish Shubber Scientific Bureau in 2010 as the group’s specialized arm for exclusive pharmaceutical partnerships. Over time, under her strategic direction, the organization evolved from a sub-distributor into a trusted representative for global leaders such as Johnson & Johnson and Sanofi.

For Fatima, the mission has always been deeply personal. She believes that access to innovative, high-quality medicines can transform lives, an idea that continues to guide every decision she makes. The positive impact on patients and the healthcare system in Iraq remains her driving force and source of motivation.

Today, she is recognized among the Top 10 Female Entrepreneurs in Iraq’s Pharmaceutical Industry, celebrated for her ethical leadership, commitment to regulatory excellence, and dedication to partnership-building that prioritizes patient outcomes. Fatima continues to inspire a new generation of leaders, proving that while building a business is challenging, contributing to a healthier society is a calling. Let’s hear from her.

What precautions have you taken to ensure that the products you distribute are genuine and of the highest quality?

Ensuring authenticity and quality is a fundamental commitment. The organization works only with reputable global manufacturers and ensures all products are registered through official regulatory channels. Throughout the supply chain, strict Good Distribution Practice and Good Storage Practice standards are applied across validated warehouses. Temperature and humidity are monitored continuously, supported by qualified cold-chain logistics and predefined transport routes.

Every shipment is verified through certificates of analysis, batch tracking, and serialization when applicable. Regular supplier audits, robust SOPs, ongoing staff training, and strong pharmacovigilance and recall systems further strengthen compliance. These measures collectively protect patient safety, reinforce provider confidence, and uphold the ethical responsibility to deliver trusted, high-quality medicines.

What strategies have you adopted to create a better future for everyone while innovating and providing high-quality products and services?

My approach is shaped around three strategic pillars designed to create long-term impact rather than short-term growth. First, the organization focuses on meaningful partnerships by introducing clinically proven, innovative therapies to Iraq through strong collaborations with trusted multinational manufacturers. Second, there is a commitment to developing people and infrastructure through continuous training, leadership programs, and digital systems that enhance efficiency, safety, and transparency. Finally, a patient-centered model guides execution, ensuring responsible access, education for healthcare professionals, and reliable, data-driven supply processes so every medicine reaches the right patient at the right time. By combining international best practices with local needs, the goal remains clear: improving health outcomes and contributing to a better future for the community.

Briefly tell us about the key factors driving business growth and competitiveness in the modern healthcare ecosystem.

Business growth and competitiveness in healthcare today are driven by innovation, strategic partnerships, and an unwavering focus on quality. Organizations that consistently introduce advanced therapies, cultivate strong relationships with global manufacturers, and prioritize patient safety achieve sustainable success. Regulatory credibility is built by embedding compliance into everyday operations rather than treating it as a formality, while local insight ensures that international science translates effectively to meet Iraq’s clinical and patient needs. At Shubber Scientific Bureau, this balance of global expertise and local understanding enables the company to deliver meaningful value, not only to patients and healthcare providers but also to the broader healthcare ecosystem, strengthening trust, improving outcomes, and supporting long-term growth.

Describe your leadership style. What are the guidelines or methodologies you follow as a leader?

My leadership approach is hands-on, detail-oriented, and centered on people. I stay closely engaged with my team to understand their challenges, provide support, and ensure alignment with organizational goals. I prioritize listening, base decisions on facts, and empower team members to take ownership of their responsibilities. Patience, attentiveness, and careful planning are essential, as meaningful results emerge from collaboration and talent development. I foster open communication and encourage proactive problem-solving, creating an environment where everyone feels valued and motivated. For me, leadership is about inspiring others, cultivating trust, and guiding the team toward shared success while maintaining focus on both people and performance.

How do you keep yourself up-to-date with ongoing industry trends to steer your organization towards the future?

To stay ahead in a rapidly evolving pharmaceutical landscape, I actively invest in executive education at institutions like INSEAD and London Business School, ensuring exposure to global best practices and emerging management trends. I also participate in international congresses and maintain continuous dialogue with our global partners, gaining insights into innovations and regulatory developments. Internally, we foster a culture of learning through cross-functional sessions, encouraging team members to share observations and lessons from the field. This combination of global knowledge and local intelligence allows us to remain agile, compliant, and strategically positioned, enabling Shubber Scientific Bureau to anticipate market changes, drive innovation, and consistently deliver value to patients and healthcare stakeholders.

What is the future destination you are heading towards?

My vision for the future centers on strengthening Shubber Scientific Bureau’s role in the pharmaceutical industry while expanding our footprint beyond Iraq. I aim for the company to evolve from being a trusted distributor and representative of global pharmaceutical leaders into an active contributor in the production and development of medicines. Regional growth will enable us to bring innovative therapies to a wider patient population while upholding the highest standards of quality, service, and patient care. For us, expansion is not just about business, it is about creating a meaningful, positive impact on healthcare systems locally and across the region, ensuring that progress translates into better outcomes for patients and communities alike.

Based on your extensive experience in the industry, what advice would you give to aspiring leaders in the field?

My advice to aspiring leaders in the pharmaceutical industry is shaped by years of working at the intersection of multinational partnerships and local market realities. As a female leader in pharma distribution, I have learned that true leadership begins with integrity, resilience, and clarity of purpose.

Representing global brands requires more than operational excellence — it demands consistency, credibility, and the ability to build trust with partners, teams, and stakeholders alike. Protect your reputation with unwavering ethical standards; it is your most valuable long-term asset.

Invest in your people. A strong team is the foundation of sustainable success, and empowering them creates impact far greater than any individual contribution. Stay curious, remain teachable, and listen deeply — to healthcare providers, to patients, and to your colleagues. Insight often comes from the details others overlook.

The pharmaceutical sector in Iraq is evolving rapidly, and challenges will always exist. Approach them with determination and a growth mindset. When you do, every obstacle becomes an opportunity to innovate, grow, and elevate the level of service you provide to your community.  

Fatima Shubber, Managing Director, Shubber Scientific Bureau

Fatima Shubber, Managing Director of Shubber Scientific Bureau, is a pharmacist and industry leader who has transformed the company into a trusted representative for global pharmaceutical brands. Since 2010, she has driven partnerships, innovation, and patient-centered initiatives, shaping Iraq’s healthcare landscape while promoting quality, access, and ethical leadership..