Health reform commission, drug ingredient makers push for pharma self-reliance
National Professor Dr AK Azad Khan, chairman of the Health Reform Commission, engaged in discussions with representatives from the Bangladesh Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Intermediates Manufacturers Association (Baima), outlining the commission’s vision for a more self-reliant pharmaceutical sector
Highlights
- Currently, Bangladesh imports 95% of its pharmaceutical raw materials
- Local manufacturing is seen as key to self-sufficiency, affordable medicines
- Bangladesh aims to become a future exporter of pharmaceutical raw materials
- Baima presented a nine-point proposal to the commission for govt support
The Health Sector Reform Commission and drugmakers have agreed on the need to reduce Bangladesh's heavy reliance on imported pharmaceutical ingredients and are seeking policy reforms which will boost local raw material production.
During a meeting at the BIHS General Hospital in Mirpur, Dhaka, today (11 April), National Professor Dr AK Azad Khan, chairman of the Health Reform Commission, engaged in discussions with representatives from the Bangladesh Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Intermediates Manufacturers Association (Baima), outlining the commission's vision for a more self-reliant pharmaceutical sector.
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Dr Azad highlighted the stark reality that currently, a staggering 95% of raw materials used in medicine production are imported, with only a handful of countries controlling the supply chain.
He asserted that local manufacturing of these essential components, under domestic management, is the key to achieving self-sufficiency and ensuring access to affordable medicines for the population.
Furthermore, he envisioned a future where Bangladesh could even become an exporter of pharmaceutical raw materials.
"The Health Sector Reform Commission is firmly focused on this critical issue," said Dr Azad, stressing the commission's commitment to proposing policies that actively promote local production.
Echoing the commission's sentiment, Baima President SM Saifur Rahman pointed to the successful models of countries like India, China, and Singapore, which have developed their domestic pharmaceutical raw materials industries through strategic incentives and streamlined regulatory processes.
"We urgently need similar policy support in Bangladesh," Saifur Rahman stressed. He presented a comprehensive nine-point proposal on behalf of the business community to Dr Azad, outlining key areas requiring government intervention.
The proposals included a call for incentives to bolster the production of pharmaceutical raw materials, research and development, and human resource development within the sector. Additionally, the business leaders requested subsidies on essential utilities like gas and electricity for local raw material producers. A significant proposal was the imposition of a ban on importing raw materials that can be manufactured domestically.
Further proposals focused on simplifying the often complex registration and approval processes and ensuring value-added tax exemptions for those purchasing locally produced pharmaceutical raw materials. Saifur Rahman also advocated for Baima representation on the Directorate General of Drug Administration's (DGDA) block list committee, ensuring industry input in regulatory decisions.
The meeting saw active participation from key figures in the local pharmaceutical industry, including M Jamal Uddin of Gonoshasthaya Basic Chemical Ltd, Nizam Uddin Ahmed, managing director of Sodical Chemicals, Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman Patwari, managing director of Nip Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Zakir Hossain, plant director of World API Chemical Industry Ltd, and MA Mahmud, chairman of Diabetics Science Ltd.
