Some pharma firms spend Tk100cr yearly on drug promotion: CA's special assistant
Regulation does not mean repression, but health is a sector where proper regulation is essential, he says
Some pharmaceutical companies in Bangladesh spend over Tk100 crore a year solely on drug promotion, said Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser for the health ministry, highlighting how the industry drives profits by pushing up medicine prices.
"We have reviewed the companies' audit reports. Some show over Tk100 crore in promotional expenses alone. A single seminar at a five-star hotel costs over Tk1 crore, while a gala night can cost up to Tk3 crore. Records also show foreign trips with groups of 40 participants," he said, addressing an event titled "Bangladesh Health Conclave 2025: Improved Healthcare, Prosperous Country", organised by the daily Bonik Barta at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka today (30 August).
Regulation does not mean repression. But health is a sector where proper regulation is essential. Until recently, it was unbelievable that no law existed for establishing government medical colleges. From now on, both public and private medical colleges will operate under a uniform law
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Addressing doctors, he noted, "Out of 1.4 lakh registered doctors in Bangladesh, perhaps 1 lakh do not accept any benefits [from drug companies]. But questions arise about the rest. Who bears the expenses for five-star hotel dinners, foreign tours, or gala nights?"
Speaking to pharmaceutical companies, he said, "No government will stand in the way of industrial growth. But how much profit is considered reasonable? How much should be reinvested annually? Growth must remain within a rational range."
On regulation in the health sector, Sayedur Rahman said, "Regulation does not mean repression. But health is a sector where proper regulation is essential. Until recently, it was unbelievable that no law existed for establishing government medical colleges. From now on, both public and private medical colleges will operate under a uniform law."
He further stressed that the goal is to ensure the same quality of healthcare in Kurigram as in Dhaka. "Investment may differ, but standards must not. There will be scope for reasonable profits in the health sector, but unchecked profiteering at the cost of quality healthcare cannot continue," he added.
The government must support the private sector rather than act as an obstacle. Health services need to be business-oriented. The budget should reflect public needs, and public-private partnerships must be strengthened further
Before Sayedur Rahman spoke at the event, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Syed Abdullah Muhammad Taher said, "It is possible to further reduce healthcare costs. But pharmaceutical companies have to spend 20% on doctors. This expenditure impacts the delivery of healthcare services."
However, immediately after this statement, a doctor present at the event strongly objected. The doctor said, "We do not take any commission. Maybe you do, but we don't." This exchange made the atmosphere somewhat tense.
Later, Taher added, "The government must support the private sector rather than act as an obstacle. Health services need to be business-oriented. The budget should reflect public needs, and public-private partnerships must be strengthened further."
Joining online, Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud, speaking as the chief guest, said, "It is essential to build public trust in the country's health system. Many people go abroad for advanced treatment, spending huge amounts of money. But the situation should have been the opposite. People should come to Bangladesh for treatment."
Professor Mohammad Shahinul Alam, acting Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Medical University, said that political commitment is crucial for the sustainable development of healthcare services in Bangladesh.
Ameer Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, a member of BNP's Standing Committee, said private hospitals should be given the opportunity for self-regulation in improving and reforming healthcare.
"Private hospitals and the pharmaceutical sector must be freed from excessive government regulation. We need to move away from this and move toward self-regulation. The more regulation there is, the more corruption. If voted to power, the BNP will announce allocating 5% of GDP to the health sector," he added.
Tapan Chowdhury, director of Square Group, responded to suggestions that the private sector needs to be controlled, calling them offensive.
He said, "It should be remembered that the private sector has made unprecedented contributions to the health sector. Without this recognition, the country cannot progress."
Tapan added, "The country has not reached this stage due to the contribution of a few individuals. The people of this country and everyone working in the health sector—doctors, health workers, and technicians—have all contributed."
Bangladesh should stop serving as a lobbyist for foreign countries in the healthcare sector, said AM Shamim, LabAid Group founder and managing director.
He also stressed the need for greater recognition of private hospitals and clinics that serve the majority of patients in the country.
"The private sector provides 70% of the healthcare in the country. Despite providing services to thousands of patients, we get no recognition," he said.
He said, "For 17 years, we have served as lobbyists for India. Now two patients went to China, and they were welcomed with flowers," pointing towards the country's shift in health tourism to another country.
Dr Shamim said initiatives for kidney and liver transplants in Bangladesh were halted to benefit India, and efforts to introduce robotic surgery have also faced barriers.
"Give us approval for one month, and we can show the results," he added.
At the event, Md Mosaddeque Hossain Biswash, president of the Bangladesh Private Hospital, Clinic and Diagnostic Owners Association, called for stricter regulation, saying no diagnostic centre should be opened without membership in the association.
