3-day Asia Pharma Expo begins

The three-day Asia Pharma Expo 2026 and Asia Lab Expo 2026, South Asia's flagship exhibitions for pharmaceutical manufacturing technology, began this morning (29 March) at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center.

The expos are organised by the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries and build on a 23-year legacy of driving innovation, collaboration and industrial growth in Bangladesh's dynamic pharmaceutical sector.

Speaking at the event, Dr Mohammad Zakir Hossain said the pharmaceutical industry is a proud sector for Bangladesh. 

He noted that the Drug Ordinance plays a key role in the sector's development, enabling the country to now meet around 98% of its domestic medicine demand.

He added that the drug policy in 1994, a landmark policy introduced by Khaleda Zia, which reduced government control on drug pricing, attracts new investors and encourages the establishment of new companies. 

However, he pointed out that the industry has faced challenges over the past five to six years, with the last two years marked by particular crises.

Zakir said companies must maintain 47 licences, which require annual reviews, adding regulatory pressure. 

He also mentioned that Bangladesh's pharmaceutical sector primarily serves the domestic market of 180 million people rather than being export-oriented.

Referring to the ongoing Middle East crisis, Dr Zakir said the prices of several imported raw materials have increased significantly, affecting production costs.

He emphasised that the expo is not only an academic platform but also a social event that brings together stakeholders across the industry.

The 2026 edition features over 400 exhibitors from more than 20 countries, showcasing technologies in pharmaceutical processing, packaging, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients, analytical and laboratory instruments, cleanroom and HVAC systems, water management, and turnkey project services.

The Asia Pharma Expo will conclude on Tuesday (31 March).