Pakistani pharma giant imports Covid-19 drug from Bangladesh | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
July 09, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, JULY 09, 2025
Pakistani pharma giant imports Covid-19 drug from Bangladesh

South Asia

TBS Report
04 June, 2020, 10:45 am
Last modified: 04 June, 2020, 10:56 am

Related News

  • US wants easier access for military equipment, LNG, wheat, cotton imports: Commerce secretary
  • Search on for survivors of Pakistan building collapse
  • Will higher taxes drive up RMG's yarn import reliance?
  • One dies from COVID-19 in 24 hrs
  • Pakistan to lead UN Security Council in July

Pakistani pharma giant imports Covid-19 drug from Bangladesh

Beximco had agreed to sell 48 vials of Remdesivir to the pharma giant

TBS Report
04 June, 2020, 10:45 am
Last modified: 04 June, 2020, 10:56 am
Photo: Collected.
Photo: Collected.

Tarek Moinuddin Khan, chairman of AGP Pharmaceuticals in Pakistan, has recently chartered a private plane to import a drug that has shown promising results in treating critical Covid-19 patients from Bangladesh. 

The Karachi-based businessman had chartered the plane after getting approval from Drug and Regulatory Authority Pakistan (DRAP) for the import of 'unregistered drug Remdesivir', reports Daily Pakistan.

Remdesivir, which is an anti-viral drug, is prepared by Beximco, a Bangladesh-based pharmaceutical company.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

The company had agreed to sell 48 vials at a cost of USD 65/vial of Bemsivir IV Infusion (Remdesivir) to Khan, according to the Profit.

The publication, in its report Wednesday, said the plane flew over Indian air space into Dhaka to collect the medication and bring it back to Islamabad.

"The injectable vials have been procured for the treatment of four patients who were suffering from coronavirus and had entered a critical stage of the lethal infection. All patients have reportedly recovered since being treated with Remdesivir," the report added.

Remdesivir, a drug developed by Gilead Sciences, has grabbed attention as one of the most promising treatments for Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus, which has killed nearly 380,000 people globally.

Last Friday, in a stock exchange filing, Pakistan's Searle Company Limited said it was "planning to import remdesivir in finished form (ready to use) to meet the country's urgent requirements" after entering into an exclusive licensing and marketing agreement with Bangladesh's Beximco Pharmaceuticals, the first company in the world to introduce the generic variant of the drug.

In May, Ferozson's Pharma said it would make the drug in Pakistan after signing a non-exclusive licensing pact with Gilead Sciences, to make and sell the drug to 127 nations, but it warned that production could take "weeks".

Gilead's patent gives the US company exclusive rights to make the antiviral. But global trade rules allow nations defined by the United Nations as least-developed countries (LDCs) to ignore the patent and make such drugs more affordable in their markets.

Bangladesh is one of 47 countries that fall in this category.

Pakistan's tally of infections stands above 80,000, with nearly 1,700 deaths. More than 28,000 people have also recovered from the disease.

Top News / World+Biz / Pharma

Pakistan / Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd / AGP Pharmaceuticals / remdesivir / Import / COVID-19

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Clashes took place between police and protesters in Sylhet on 2 August. Photo: TBS
    Hasina authorised deadly crackdown on protesters during 2024 July uprising, BBC verifies leaked audio
  • Finance Adviser Saluhuddin Ahmed spoke at a post-budget press conference at Osmani Auditorium in the capital today (3 June). Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
    Many obstacles in financial sector reforms, not only driven by IMF, World Bank: Finance adviser
  • File photo of Chattogram Port/TBS
    Cargo unloading at Ctg Port's outer anchorage suspended for three days amid rough seas

MOST VIEWED

  • None saw it coming: What went wrong in Bangladesh’s tariff negotiation with US 
    None saw it coming: What went wrong in Bangladesh’s tariff negotiation with US 
  • File Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
    Bangladesh faces economic impact as US introduces 35% tariff on exports
  • Representational image. Photo: Collected
    Bangladesh reserves above $24b even after making $2b ACU payment 
  • Electric buses for capital: Tk2,500cr to be spent in 2 years
    Electric buses for capital: Tk2,500cr to be spent in 2 years
  • Representational image. Photo: TBS
    35% US tariff to be disastrous for Bangladesh's exports, say economists and exporters
  • Clashes took place between police and protesters in Sylhet on 2 August. Photo: TBS
    Hasina authorised deadly crackdown on protesters during 2024 July uprising, BBC verifies leaked audio

Related News

  • US wants easier access for military equipment, LNG, wheat, cotton imports: Commerce secretary
  • Search on for survivors of Pakistan building collapse
  • Will higher taxes drive up RMG's yarn import reliance?
  • One dies from COVID-19 in 24 hrs
  • Pakistan to lead UN Security Council in July

Features

Dr Mostafa Abid Khan. Sketch: TBS

Actual impact will depend on how US retailers respond: Mostafa Abid Khan

1d | Economy
Thousands gather to form Bangla Blockade in mass show of support. Photo: TBS

Rebranding rebellion: Why ‘Bangla Blockade’ struck a chord

1d | Panorama
The Mitsubishi Xpander is built with families in mind, ready to handle the daily carpool, grocery runs, weekend getaways, and everything in between. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

Now made-in-Bangladesh: 2025 Mitsubishi Xpander

2d | Wheels
Students of different institutions protest demanding the reinstatement of the 2018 circular cancelling quotas in recruitment in government jobs. Photo: Mehedi Hasan

5 July 2024: Students announce class boycott amid growing protests

4d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Trump considering sanctions on Russia

Trump considering sanctions on Russia

12m | TBS World
Iran receives missile shipment from China

Iran receives missile shipment from China

1h | TBS World
Will JPA be able to survive in the political arena?

Will JPA be able to survive in the political arena?

15h | TBS Stories
Trump’s steel, aluminum tariffs bleed Indian foundries

Trump’s steel, aluminum tariffs bleed Indian foundries

4h | Others
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net