Affordable medicine key to achieving UHC in Bangladesh: Health experts

Highlights

• Discussion highlighted robust regulation, ethical pricing, strong supply chains
• Participants stressed balancing cost-effective solutions with medicine quality
• Supply chain inefficiencies hinder medicine access despite high domestic production
• Health experts recommended updating essential drug list, using digital tracking
• Need for transparent medicine pricing model was stressed
• Collaboration between public, private stakeholders crucial for prioritising healthcare

Achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Bangladesh remains a challenge due to the high out-of-pocket healthcare costs, particularly for medicines.

This issue was the focus of an expert debate held today (13 February) at the CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka, where experts from the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory bodies, public health, and policymakers gathered to discuss potential solutions.

The debate, titled "Holistic Strategy to Ensure Affordable Medicine Supply Chains Towards Realising UHC," was jointly organised by the Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) in partnership with the UHC Forum and supported by UNICEF.

Chaired and moderated by PPRC Chairman and UHC Forum Convener Hossain Zillur Rahman, the discussion underscored the need for a more robust regulatory framework, ethical pricing mechanisms, and strengthened supply chains to ensure equitable access to essential medicines.

Key participants included representatives from the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA), pharmaceutical industry leaders, healthcare professionals, and experts in supply chain management.

The discussions focused on the complex relationship between medicine production, quality control, pricing, and access, all within the context of Bangladesh's healthcare goals.

A major concern was the affordability of medicines and the ethical issues surrounding their pricing. Participants stressed that while finding cost-effective solutions is important, it should not come at the cost of quality.

The need to strengthen regulatory oversight, ensure compliance with international standards, and address staffing shortages within the DGDA was also highlighted as an urgent priority.

The discussions also pointed out inefficiencies in procurement and supply chain management. Although Bangladesh's pharmaceutical industry meets 98% of the country's medicine demand and exports to over 70 countries, challenges remain in getting essential medicines to underserved regions and populations.

Health experts recommended updating the essential drug list, improving storage facilities, and using digital tracking systems to make the supply chain more efficient.

Another important issue raised was the lack of a clear pricing system. The debate stressed the need for a transparent pricing model that takes into account production costs, ethical business margins, and affordability for patients.

The private sector's role in medicine production was acknowledged as critical, but the need for greater accountability and ethical marketing was also emphasised.

In his closing remarks, PPRC Chairman Hossain highlighted the importance of better understanding what drives medicine prices and where there are gaps in regulation and supply chains, including the roles and efficiency of the Essential Drugs Company Limited, Central Medical Store Depot, and DGDA.

Expanding the essential drug list, improving pricing regulation, fostering a more efficient and competitive pharmaceutical industry, and addressing prescription practices and patient education were identified as key priorities for reform.

He called for a collaborative effort from both public and private stakeholders to make healthcare a national policy priority with clear, actionable strategies. The key points of the discussion will be shared with the Health Reform Commission to guide future policy decisions.