442 types of pharma raw materials destroyed in Dhaka airport fire
Healthcare Pharmaceuticals suffers the highest damage
Highlights:
- 442 types of raw materials from 45 pharma companies were damaged in Hazrat Shahjalal Airport fire.
- Total loss estimated at Tk165 crore.
- Healthcare Pharmaceuticals lost nearly Tk25 crore, the highest.
- Other major losses: Incepta Tk15.48 crore, Renata Tk12.65 crore, Square Tk12.59 crore, ACMI Tk12 crore.
- Fire affected raw materials, equipment, and spare parts for medicine production.
- CEO warned import delays may affect operations and urged fast airport clearance.
At least 442 types of raw materials from 45 pharmaceutical companies were damaged in the recent fire at the Cargo Village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
The total estimated loss, excluding VAT, taxes, and other duties, amounts to Tk165 crore.
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Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Limited suffered the highest damage among other companies, according to the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI).
The damaged items include raw materials, equipment, and spare parts essential for medicine production.
BAPI data shows that Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Limited suffered losses of nearly Tk25 crore. Other affected companies include Incepta Pharmaceuticals Limited with Tk15.48 crore, Square Pharmaceuticals PLC with Tk12.59 crore, Renata PLC with Tk12.65 crore, and ACMI Laboratories Limited incurred Tk12 crore in losses.
Muhammad Halimuzzaman, treasurer of BAPI and CEO of Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Limited, described the fire as concerning but said it will not immediately disrupt production.
He added that delays in importing new raw materials could affect operations.
Halimuzzaman also highlighted that pharmaceutical raw materials are highly sensitive to moisture and heat, urging the government to ensure fast clearance at the airport to minimise losses and maintain smooth production.
Other companies reporting losses include Giska Pharmaceuticals Limited with Tk8 crore, Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited with Tk7 crore, Opsonin Pharma Limited with Tk7 crore, and Unimed Unihealth Pharmaceuticals with Tk4 crore.
Additionally, Delta Pharma, Aristopharma, Popular Pharmaceuticals, Beacon Pharma, Novatek Pharma, Nuvista Pharma, and Eskayef Pharmaceuticals reported losses ranging from a few crore to several tens of crore taka.
