Tk200cr worth of pharmaceutical raw materials burnt in airport fire: Pharmaceutical industries association

Raw materials worth around Tk200 crore belonging to pharmaceutical companies were destroyed in the recent fire at the Cargo Village of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, according to the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI).

BAPI Secretary General Zakir Hossain said at a joint press conference with the Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB) in the capital today (20 October) that the organisation had sent letters to 32 companies to assess their losses.

"We saw that their raw materials worth Tk200 crore have been reduced to ashes," he said.

He criticised the Customs House for keeping duty assessment activities closed from Thursday evening through the weekend holidays, saying such interruptions must be avoided.

"It must be kept open 24 hours a day, even if on a small scale. We are ready to pay extra money for this too, if necessary," he said.

Zakir warned that without continuous customs operations, such incidents could again disrupt the supply of essential medicines.

"Otherwise, a dreadful fire like this could once again lead to a shortage in the supply of products crucial for public health," he said.

Citing the damage to his own company, he said one of his narcotic items had been burnt.

"Now, taking permission to import it again, obtaining clearance from Narcotics and Drugs, and bringing it from abroad will take three to four months — a very long time," he said.

He noted that while there would be no immediate shortage in medicine supply, a disruption in the production and distribution of finished goods worth between Tk3,000 crore and Tk5,000 crore might occur within the next three to six months.

Representatives from various export-oriented organisations, including BKMEA, BGMEA, BTMA, BGPMEA, and associations from the leather, frozen food, agricultural products, jewellery, plastics, handicrafts, and giftware sectors, were also present at the event alongside the EAB.