Bangladesh's pharma sector at the crossroads of a global revolution

When I first entered the University of Dhaka to study pharmacy, I never imagined the transformation our sector would see.

Established in 1964, the Department of Pharmacy has produced graduates who now excel in leading pharmaceutical companies, regulatory agencies, research centers, and universities worldwide.

As a professor and dean, I take pride in teaching hundreds of students, many of whom pursued advanced studies abroad while others stayed to build Bangladesh's pharmaceutical industry into a global force. Today, thousands work across production, R&D, quality, and marketing, driving innovation and national progress.

Over my career, I have witnessed a profound global shift. For decades, medicines were largely based on small molecules—laboratory-synthesized chemicals. Bangladesh mastered this domain, becoming self-sufficient in generics and ensuring affordable access both locally and abroad.

But the 21st century ushered in a revolution: biologics. These complex medicines, derived from living cells (proteins, monoclonal antibodies & vaccines) have transformed the treatment of cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases. While small molecules remain important, biologics are undeniably the future of medicine.

Since 2007, Bangladesh has made remarkable strides in this frontier. What began with a handful of products has expanded into a wide range of locally manufactured therapies. Today, our companies produce insulin for diabetes, erythropoietin for anemia, monoclonal antibodies for cancer and autoimmune diseases, and vaccines against rabies, typhoid, influenza, hepatitis-B, cholera and cervical cancer (HPV). Once imported at prohibitive cost, these medicines are now available locally at some of the lowest prices in the world.

Even more significantly, several firms are now fully vertically integrated—developing medicines from cell lines through fermentation, purification, and fill-finish production. This represents biotechnology at global standards, achieved here in Bangladesh.

Some Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies are now operating at a level truly comparable to the world's best. They collaborate with leading international pharmaceutical giants, top-ranked academic institutions, and research organizations on technology development, technology acquisition and transfer, manufacturing, R&D, commercialization, and post-marketing surveillance. A few pioneering firms have also taken the lead in groundbreaking research with reputed global consortia, including platform development for yeast-based and mRNA-based technologies to address emergency healthcare needs and ensure access to affordable generics and biologics.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted this capacity. It was remarkable to witness how industries rose to the challenge, rapidly developing, producing, and delivering essential vaccines and medicines. Beyond finished formulations, Bangladesh has also advanced in producing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), conducting both preclinical and clinical trials, and manufacturing vaccines—not only to meet domestic demand but also to generate export revenue.

The impact on patients is profound. Drugs that once cost tens of thousands of dollars abroad are now accessible at a fraction of the price. For families struggling with chronic illness, this difference is not merely financial—it is the difference between despair and hope.

Bangladesh's pharmaceutical revolution has been driven by people—brilliant minds trained at home, many of them my students, colleagues, and alumni of Dhaka University. I have watched them grow from eager learners into scientists leading production plants, researchers designing innovative therapies, and professionals ensuring the safety and quality of every medicine reaching patients.

Many have built careers abroad, creating bridges of expertise between Bangladesh and the global community. Others stayed back, pioneering biotech manufacturing and developing world-class vaccines. From achieving self-sufficiency in generics to mastering complex biologics, our industry has traveled an extraordinary path.

From self-sufficiency in generics to cutting-edge biologics, the Bangladeshi pharmaceutical industry has come a long way. The world increasingly recognizes our ability not only to manufacture essential medicines but also to master complex biologics and vaccines.

With the right policies, continued investment, and a strong talent pipeline from our universities, Bangladesh has every possibility of becoming the global hub of affordable medicine. This is not a dream; it is already taking shape.

As a teacher, nothing is more rewarding than seeing former students lead this transformation. I feel pride in our companies rivaling the best in the world, satisfaction in affordable access to life-saving drugs, and hope that our graduates will keep driving innovation. A new chapter in healthcare has begun, and Bangladesh is ready to lead. 

The author is the Dean (Acting), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Dhaka. Phd (University of Strathclyde), B. Pharm (Hons), M. Pharm. (DU), Commonwealth Postdoctoral Fellow (king's College London).