Dr. B.H. Buch stands as one of the most influential figures in post-independence Indian psychiatry, particularly in Gujarat, where his leadership and compassionate approach reshaped institutional mental health care. As a renowned psychiatrist and superintendent of major mental health facilities in Ahmedabad and Vadodara, Dr. Buch's contributions extended far beyond clinical practice—he played a pivotal role in bridging psychiatry with the pharmaceutical industry, profoundly influencing the trajectory of mental health treatment accessibility in India.
Mentorship and the Birth of a Pharmaceutical Pioneer
Dr. Buch maintained a close professional friendship with **Uttambhai Nathalal Mehta (U.N. Mehta)**, the founder of Torrent Pharmaceuticals. Mehta, who began his career as a medical representative with Sandoz in the 1940s and later served in government roles, sought entrepreneurial independence in the late 1950s.
In 1959, with an initial investment of just Rs 25,000, Mehta established Trinity Laboratories (later renamed Torrent Pharmaceuticals), focusing from the outset on the underserved segment of psychiatric (psychotropic) medications—a strategic direction inspired by Dr. Buch's early guidance on addressing the critical need for affordable mental health drugs in India.
This vision gained further momentum in 1979, during an informal conversation over a cup of tea at the Hospital for Mental Health in Ahmedabad, where Dr. Buch was then Superintendent. In that meeting, Dr. Buch emphasized the urgent need for deeper market penetration of affordable psychotropic drugs to reach more patients across the country. He shared insights on clinical demands, emerging treatment gaps, and the potential for scaled manufacturing to reduce costs significantly.
Inspired by this discussion, U.N. Mehta accelerated plans for dedicated production capacity. The following year, in **1980**, Torrent opened its first full-scale manufacturing facility in Vatva, Ahmedabad—marking a major milestone that enabled higher-volume production of psychotropic medicines and solidified the company's position in the neuropsychiatry segment.
This guidance proved transformative. Torrent's sustained focus on psychotropics established its early market leadership and significantly enhanced access to essential mental health medications across India, particularly for lower-income patients. Today, Torrent Pharmaceuticals ranks among India's leading pharmaceutical companies, with neuropsychiatry remaining one of its core therapeutic areas—a direct legacy of Dr. Buch's clinical insight and strategic mentorship.
Leadership in Institutional Psychiatry
Dr. Buch's professional career was marked by exemplary administrative and clinical leadership. He served as Superintendent of the Hospital for Mental Health in Vadodara (formerly Baroda), managing operations at the prominent Kareli Baugh facility, and held significant influence at Ahmedabad's B.M. Institute of Mental Health.
Nationally recognized, he contributed as a consultant to the National Mental Health Programme and participated in key policy initiatives, including mission reports on mental health priorities for Gujarat in the early 2000s. His emphasis on humane, patient-centered care, facility modernization, community integration, and professional training helped lay foundational improvements in India's public mental health infrastructure during an era of limited resources and persistent stigma.
A Holistic Approach to Healing
While deeply rooted in clinical psychiatry, Dr. Buch maintained a balanced perspective on wellness. In 1975, he was initiated into Transcendental Meditation (TM) in Ahmedabad by an international instructor—a practice that complemented his professional demands and reinforced his belief in integrative approaches to mental health.
Family and Continuing Influence
Dr. Buch and his wife, Janki Buch, raised three accomplished children. Their elder son, Maulikk Buch, is a veteran journalist, former Editor-in-Chief of GujaratSamachar.com, founder of hyperlocal news platforms TheBarodian.in and TheAhmedabadBuzz.com, and a respected researcher in Indian mysticism through AghoriStories.com and VaastuPurush.com. Daughter Urvee Buch is a legal academic with an LLM in Corporate Law, formerly on the faculty at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda. Younger son Vrushank Buch, a Ph.D. holder, is a distinguished project management professional in manufacturing and energy sectors.
Enduring Impact on Indian Healthcare
Though Dr. B.H. Buch is no longer with us, his influence remains profound—evident in improved public mental health systems, policy frameworks, and, most tangibly, in the widespread availability of affordable psychotropic medicines pioneered through his long-term mentorship of Torrent Pharmaceuticals. From an initial niche focus in 1959 to the establishment of large-scale manufacturing in 1980, Dr. Buch's vision helped drive systemic change, making essential mental health treatment reachable for millions of Indians.
His career exemplifies how individual clinical expertise, compassionate insight, and strategic collaboration with industry can catalyze lasting advancements in healthcare accessibility and affordability.