Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical division has noted a shift in trends and is now paying attention to the movement that aims at lessening the reliance on imported raw materials. The Bangladesh Health Sector Reform Commission has teamed up with local drug manufacturers to campaign for policies that stimulate the local production of active pharmaceutical ingredients and other key components.
Current Situation: Imports Dominance
National Professor Dr. AK Azad Khan, chairman of the Health Reform Commission, pointed out the critical problem concerning the current state of the Bangladesh economy. Khan reinforces that “a shocking 95%” of the raw materials used in pharmaceutical production for the country are sourced externally. Until domestic suppliers are able to sufficiently deal with this overwhelming demand, dependencies on suppliers will always remain.
Towards Self-Reliant Vision: Target Local Manufacturing Plants
Dr. Azad states that achieving self-sufficient pharmaceutical raw material production is a vital step in the right direction. In his opinion, local manufacturing and management are more favourable compared to outsourced production in terms of economies of scale, thus using the population’s vulnerable support more effectively. He’s positive that Bangladesh will not only be able to serve its own requirements but will also supply other countries with these parts in the imminent future.
Industry Support: A Nine-Point Proposal
In context with the commission’s view, Baima’s President SM Saifur Rahman highlighted the success of the self-sustaining pharmaceutical industries in the raw material suppliers’ countries, for example, India, China, and Singapore. He has specifically designed, for Dr. Azad, a comprehensive proposal concerning where government action is necessary with ‘… $5 billion…’ in support for this industry.
Key Proposals: Incentives, R&D, and Infrastructure
Baima’s selective nine-point proposal appears to miss many critical factors, such as:
- Stimulating the production of pharmaceutical raw materials to economically benefit the region.
- Providing for the research and development funding to create new innovations in local production.
- Investment in the development of their human resources to produce the needed professionals.
- Reducing the costs of production by subsidising the important services of fuel and utilities, such as gas and electricity.
- Banning the importing of raw materials that are capable of being produced by the local market to assist a burgeoning local industry.
- Streamlining the intricate registration and approval systems that pharmaceutical raw material manufacturers perpetually face.
- Exemption from value-added tax (VAT) for buyers of locally produced raw materials—this motivates sourcing locally.
- Providing for Baima representation on the DGDA block list committee. Thus, an industry voice will have a say as to what regulatory decisions are made.
Amalgamating the Industry Leaders: An Aligned Vision
During the meeting Baima organised with the Health Sector Reform Commission, notable figures from the local pharmaceutical industry fully participated. The meeting was attended by representatives from Gonoshasthaya Basic Chemical Ltd., Sodical Chemicals, Nip Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd., World API Chemical Industry Ltd., and Diabetics Science Ltd., portraying their solidarity towards policy changes.
Altering the Pharmaceutical Vision: An Invitation for Action
The joint collaboration from Baima towards the Health Sector Reform Commission, along with the pharmaceutical industries, strives to reconstruct the pharmaceutical framework of the country. It is their hope that with reduced dependence on imports, coupled with increased domestic production and favourable legislation, Bangladesh will one day be able to fully sustain and confidently position itself on the world stage as a key player in the pharmaceutical industry.
