[🇧🇩] Pharmaceutical and Chemical Industry in Bangladesh

[Saif]

Renata starts directly exporting medicines to US

Renata PLC has begun exporting medicines to the US market, becoming the sixth pharmaceutical manufacturer from Bangladesh to directly ship products to the world's largest market

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Renata starts directly exporting medicines to US

Renata PLC has begun exporting medicines to the US market, becoming the sixth pharmaceutical manufacturer from Bangladesh to directly ship products to the world's largest market.

In its first shipment, Renata dispatched 12.8 million Metoprolol Tartrate tablets for the US market today, according to a press release of the company. The drugs were produced at its Rajendrapur facility.

Metoprolol Tartrate is used for treating hypertension, angina, heart failure, and other cardiovascular conditions.

Before this, five Bangladeshi pharmaceutical manufacturers - Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd, and ACI Limited - began exporting medicines to the US market.

Renata has also shipped Frovatriptan and Metolazone to the US under a contract manufacturing agreement.

According to Renata, the US market for Metoprolol Tartrate is substantial and expanding, with over 65.5 million prescriptions recorded in 2021.

The company operates 14 factories in Mirpur, Rajendrapur, and Bhaluka. The Rajendrapur facility received the approval from the US Food and Drug Administration in November 2022.​

Renata exports its products in 40 countries, the press release said.

 

[Saif]

Drug market regulation must be a policy priority

THE High Court, in a commendable move on April 29, asked the Directorate General of Health Services to take effective steps against the arbitrary price hike of essential drugs. The court gave the directive while hearing...

www.newagebd.net

Drug market regulation must be a policy priority
01 May, 2024, 00:00

THE High Court, in a commendable move on April 29, asked the Directorate General of Health Services to take effective steps against the arbitrary price hike of essential drugs. The court gave the directive while hearing a writ petition from the Consumers Association of Bangladesh seeking redress for the incessant increase in drug prices in recent months. The consumer association's petition is based on a media report that said that drug prices have increased by 7–140 per cent in recent weeks. The prices of commonly prescribed drugs, including antibiotic tablets, insulin, and injections for diabetics, have increased the most. Drugs to treat chronic diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and asthma also saw a significant increase. Meanwhile, the profits of the drug companies have inflated by as much as 60 per cent. The drug companies tried to justify the increase, saying that the raw material for drug production has increased in the international market. However, the price increase appears arbitrary, as the rising price of raw materials for drugs has not resulted in similar price hikes in other countries. The fact that the pharmaceutical industries are arbitrarily increasing prices is, therefore, a case of regulatory failure and proves that the directorate general of drug control has failed to perform its mandated role.

What, however, is worrying is that drug manufacturers often increase the prices of medicines without the approval of the agency and often violate the prices that the agency sets. There are also allegations that manufacturers often create an artificial supply shortage to increase prices. A supply shortage of normal and DNS saline, a medicine prescribed for blood and fluid loss in dengue cases, was reported in June 2023, when the drug administration authorities requested saline producers to increase production. Yet, supply shortages continued to jeopardise dengue treatment. Health rights activists consider the failure of the government to control the drug market a primary problem and say that drug producers cannot set prices for life-saving medicines. The drug administration has also failed to regulate sales of drugs and to control the quality of drugs manufactured, resulting in a high prevalence of counterfeit medicines on the market. On a number of occasions, the drug administration decided to increase the price of essential drugs, entertaining the profit-seeking interests of the drug companies. In July 2022, the government decided to increase the prices of 19 generic drugs from 53 brands, as the producers had threatened to stop production unless the prices were increased. In this context, the allegation that the public health activists made against the government that it has left the drug administration in the hands of pharmaceutical companies does not seem far from the truth.

Making safe drugs available for citizens at affordable prices is a fundamental requisite for any public health system, but the government has been negligent in drug market regulation. The government must, therefore, take action to control drug prices as directed by the High Court and immediately review the role of the drug administration in price control, quality control, and regulation of drug sales, as it is glaringly evident that it has failed to serve the interests of people.​

 

[Saif]

Renata ships first drug registered in Australia

The contraceptive pill named Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg is known by its brand name of Novella-1

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Renata ships first drug registered in Australia
The contraceptive pill named Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg is known by its brand name of Novella-1

Renata has shipped the initial consignment of Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg, which is the first registered product of the leading Bangladeshi pharma company in Australia.

The distribution and commercialisation of Levonorgestrel, known by its brand name of Novella-1, will be done in Australia through Renata's partner Nova Pharmaceuticals Australasia Pty Ltd, according to a statement of Renata PLC.

Levonorgestrel is approved by the World Health Organisation, amongst other regulatory authority bodies such as the US FDA and Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), as a first line oral emergency contraceptive pill.

Being a potent product, it is manufactured and supplied from Renata's TGA approved potent product facility, the statement read.

The commercial launch of Levonorgestrel, with two other products in queue for registration in Australia, would further bolster Renata's growing market access worldwide, Renata said.

"This event hallmarks Renata's expansion into yet another stringent regulated market, attributing to the quality assured global standards of its products."

Nova Pharmaceuticals has been a leader in market supply of pharmaceutical products to all pharmacies and supermarkets in Australia for the last 18 years.​

 

[Saif]

Local pharma lights up hope in cancer treatment

The pharmaceutical sector of Bangladesh has achieved many milestones over the past 14 years. Not only do local companies now meet 90 percent of the country’s demand for medicines, but the products are also exported to around 150 countries, fetching hundreds of millions of dollars.

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Local pharma lights up hope in cancer treatment

Photo: Anisur Rahman

The pharmaceutical sector of Bangladesh has achieved many milestones over the past 14 years. Not only do local companies now meet 90 percent of the country's demand for medicines, but the products are also exported to around 150 countries, fetching hundreds of millions of dollars.

However, among the most significant strides the sector has made is its advancement in the manufacture of life-saving cancer medication.

In the last 14 years, pharmaceutical companies like Beacon, Eskayef, Renata, Incepta, Healthcare, and Techno Pharma produced more than 110 varieties of oncological drugs.

Around 17 local companies are manufacturing anti-cancer drug products. Thanks to their bold initiatives, patients in Bangladesh can now access cancer drugs at affordable prices, which have brought down the cost of treatment.

Monjural Alam, chief executive officer of Beacon Medicare, said the prices of such drugs in Europe and the US are beyond the purchasing capacity of many patients.

"There is a scarcity of life-saving drugs worldwide. When the drugs are available, they are usually beyond the reach of common people. To this end, we have established a facility within our company to serve global patients," he said.

Before 2009, there was scepticism regarding Beacon's ability to manufacture sophisticated cancer drugs. However, the plant has become successful, and patients can buy life-saving drugs at reasonable prices.

Claiming that Beacon pioneered the manufacturing of cancer drugs in Bangladesh, he said it now meets around half of the local demand for cancer drugs.

Before 2010, Bangladesh relied entirely on imports for oncology drugs. This means only patients from financially solvent families could afford cancer treatment due to the exorbitant cost of medicines. Today, it not only meets domestic consumption but also serves as an exporter in the global market.

"This achievement was made possible by the dedication of local pharmaceutical companies and the trust placed by doctors and patients in local products," Alam said.

According to manufacturers, local companies produce around 99 percent of oncology drugs, yet some patients still resort to imported drugs or unofficial imports.

Recently, pharmaceutical companies have been affected immensely due to the supply chain disruptions and the dollar crisis against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war. The situation is improving following the collaborative efforts of the government and drug manufacturers.

It provides medicines worth Tk 3 crore to poor patients annually.

Beacon plans to establish a second oncology plant to meet the increasing global demand for cancer drugs. The company is also considering setting up a palliative care centre to alleviate the suffering of patients.

A relative newcomer to the scene is Eskayef Oncology, which commenced its journey in 2018. However, the company, which boasts advanced technologies, has expanded its footprint beyond Bangladesh in no time.

It is one of the few Asian companies to have secured approval from the European Union Good Manufacturing Practice (EU GMP) to produce anti-cancer medicines. This is recognised by 27 nations of the EU and is considered a passport for entry into the global market.

"This recognition facilitated the entry of our drugs into the EU market and various other countries," said Mohammad Mujahidul Islam, executive director (marketing and sales) of Eskayef.

Eskayef is currently exporting products to over 60 countries.

"Thanks to modern technologies, facilities, and unwavering dedication, Eskayef Oncology is committed to delivering affordable and globally standard anti-cancer products to patients both at home and abroad," he said.

Prof Golam Mohiuddin Faruque, president of the Bangladesh Cancer Society, said Bangladesh has achieved tremendous improvement in cancer treatment and anti-cancer drug manufacturing.

Bangladesh exported cancer drugs worth Tk 1,000 crore in 2023. The amount was around Tk 500 crore in 2019. Local sales of cancer drugs have reached Tk 800 crore to Tk 1,000 crore as demand is increasing by an average of 15 percent each year, according to the manufacturers.

Prof SM Abdur Rahman, chairman of the pharmacy department at the University of Dhaka, said Bangladesh's pharmaceutical companies have set up world-class manufacturing plants equipped with sophisticated machinery, enabling them to produce top-class drugs.

He thinks there is no doubt that Bangladesh's oncology products will dominate the world market, meeting global standards, quality, and cost-effectiveness.

There are areas of concern.

After 2026, when Bangladesh graduates from the group of least-developed countries, local pharmaceutical companies will have to follow patent guidelines while manufacturing drugs, including oncology products. If medicines are produced following the patent rights, the drugs will be costlier in the local market.

To avert the situation, Bangladesh initially tried to extend its Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver by six to nine years and then up to January 1, 2033. However, at the 12th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Geneva in June 2022, global leaders did not extend the TRIPS deadline for graduating LDCs.

Under the current agreement, drug-makers in LDCs can produce any generic medicine without having to follow patent guidelines until January 1, 2033. But the benefit is not applicable to graduating LDCs such as Bangladesh.

Beacon's Alam, however, said it would be applicable for only new molecules, which comprise few drugs. "So, the pharmaceuticals sector will not face significant challenges after graduation."​

 

[Saif]

Renata begins exporting two new medicines to the UK

Renata PLC, a leading pharmaceutical company in Bangladesh, has started exporting two new products to the UK, thereby expanding its product portfolio in the country, according to a company disclosure.

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Renata begins exporting two new medicines to the UK

Renata PLC, a leading pharmaceutical company in Bangladesh, has started exporting two new products to the UK, thereby expanding its product portfolio in the country, according to a company disclosure.

Posted on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) website, the disclosure informed that Renata shipped its first consignment of Sertraline 100 milligram (mg) and Propylthiouracil 50mg tablets to the UK yesterday.

The listed drug maker also said the two products manufactured at its facility in Gazipur will be marketed in the UK under its own brand.

Sertraline is the most commonly prescribed antidepressant in the UK market, with more than 23 million prescriptions dispensed in 2023.

It is used for certain conditions, including depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The second product, Propylthiouracil, is a key treatment for physical ailments such as hyperthyroidism, particularly in patients with Graves' disease.

The disclosure also said the addition of this product reinforces Renata's commitment to providing essential thyroid management solutions as a part of the company's chronic care portfolio in the UK.

Sertraline and Propylthiouracil are marketed in Bangladesh under the brand names Seronex and PTU respectively.​

 

[Saif]

Three drug makers ready to produce raw materials in API park

After successful trials, three local drug makers are set to begin full-fledged commercial production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) at the BSCIC API Industrial Park at Gazaria in Munshiganj.

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Three drug makers ready to produce raw materials in API park

After successful trials, three local drug makers are set to begin full-fledged commercial production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) at the BSCIC API Industrial Park at Gazaria in Munshiganj.

Two of the factories, ACME Laboratories and Ibn Sina Pharmaceutical, are currently awaiting regulatory approval, while the third, Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, has recently begun limited-scale commercial production of these essential drug-making raw materials.

"We obtained approval from the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) and began manufacturing on a limited scale recently," said Muhammad Halimuzzaman, managing director of Healthcare Pharmaceuticals.

He said full-scale commercial production of some items requires permission from the narcotics department, which they are currently awaiting.

The Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) established the industrial park along the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, allocating 42 plots for 21 industrial facilities.

Bangladesh now meets over 97 percent of its domestic demand for pharmaceutical products and exports medicine to more than 151 countries worldwide

So far, four local manufacturers -- ACME Laboratories, Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, Ibn Sina Pharmaceutical and UniMed-UniHealth Fine Chemicals -- have set up factories there.

Commercial production at the park spanning 200 acres was scheduled to begin in April of this year. However, it has yet to be connected to the national gas grid or equipped with a functional common effluent treatment plant (ETP).

"We commenced trial production nearly three months ago and submitted samples to the drug directorate for approval," said Mizanur Rahman Sinha, managing director of ACME Laboratories Ltd.

According to Sinha, ACME has already invested Tk 500 crore to import sophisticated machinery from the United States, Germany, Japan and India to ensure local APIs meet global standards.

He said the ACME unit will be able to produce APIs worth Tk 600 crore annually.

Jasim Uddin, chief financial officer of Ibn Sina Pharmaceutical, said they submitted their samples to the drug directorate in June this year.

"If the DGDA approves, we will proceed with commercial production of APIs. Our plant is fully ready to begin commercial production."

However, Nazmul Hossain, director of UniMed UniHealth Pharmaceuticals Ltd, said current market conditions are unfavourable for commencing commercial production due to high financing costs.

"We will begin commercial production once financing costs come down," he added.

Factories ready, park not

The initiative to establish the API park was taken in 2008, while the BSCIC allocated the plots to drug makers in 2018.

While pharmaceutical giants like Square and Beximco Pharmaceuticals got plots there, they are yet to begin factory construction.

Previously, SM Shafiuzzaman, secretary general of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries, which represents 265 local drug makers, said most of their members have not set up factories at the park due to the long delay in providing gas connections.

Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Managing Director Halimuzzaman said API manufacturing needs uninterrupted electricity supply, necessitating a gas-run captive power plant.

Diesel-fueled electricity is expensive, ultimately pushing up costs.

Besides, he mentioned potential health hazards and pollution risks associated with pharmaceutical raw material manufacturing without a functional ETP.

Ashraf Uddin Ahmed Khan, the current chairman of the BSCIC, said he was unaware of the latest condition of the API park as he had only recently been appointed to the post.

Sanjoy Kumar Bhowmik, the immediate past chairman of the BSCIC, told The Daily Star that Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company assured them of gas connections.

'A worthwhile venture'

The country's pharmaceutical industry has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent decades from a heavily import-dependent sector to one that is nearly self-sufficient.

Bangladesh now meets over 97 percent of its domestic demand for pharmaceutical products and exports medicine to more than 151 countries worldwide.

But the country is still reliant on imported raw materials for around 85 percent of its requirements for both biological and non-biological small molecule APIs, incurring costs of around $1.3 billion annually.

These APIs are mainly sourced from China and India.

Local pharmaceutical companies cater to the remaining demand, with at least six companies, including Square Pharmaceuticals and Incepta Pharmaceuticals, producing APIs worth more than Tk 2,000 crore annually.

Industry people say at least 50 percent of the country's demand for APIs could be met through local production if more big companies would invest in the sector.

This means the remaining 50 percent would still need to be imported since it is now possible to manufacture only non-biological small molecule APIs locally.

"Still, it is a worthwhile venture as the domestic market for non-biological small molecule APIs is currently worth around Tk 6,500 crore," said Sinha of ACME Laboratories.​

 

[Saif]

Square Pharma sees rare drop in sales

Sales of Square Pharmaceuticals, the largest drug producer in Bangladesh, dropped slightly to Tk 1,774 crore in the July-September period of the current fiscal, down 0.36 percent year-on-year, amid the recent political changeover..This is the first time the drugmaker has seen its sales fal

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Square Pharma sees rare drop in sales

Square Pharma

Sales of Square Pharmaceuticals, the largest drug producer in Bangladesh, dropped slightly to Tk 1,774 crore in the July-September period of the current fiscal, down 0.36 percent year-on-year, amid the recent political changeover.

This is the first time the drugmaker has seen its sales fall since at least 2010, as per data on the company's website. Even during the pandemic, the company did not witness a decline in sales.

Despite the decline in sales, the drugmaker in the quarter managed to post a 1.53 percent profit year-on-year to Tk 609 crore thanks to income from its subsidiaries and investments in several securities.

In the quarter, the income of Square Pharmaceuticals from investments rose by around 35 percent to Tk 146 crore, while its profits from associated companies surged 54 percent to around Tk 57 crore, the financial report showed.

At the same time, its earnings per share stands at Tk 6.87, up from Tk 6.77 previously.

The sales dropped due to multiple factors, including the turmoil centring the July-August movement, internet shutdown, labour unrest and floods in several districts of the country.

Shares of Square Pharmaceuticals rose 0.22 percent to Tk 224.90 at the Dhaka Stock Exchange yesterday.​

 

[Saif]

Pharma exports hit record high in Nov

Pharmaceutical exports from Bangladesh notched record growth in November this year as local drug makers secured new markets and larger orders, according to industry people.

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Pharma exports hit record high in Nov

Pharmaceutical exports from Bangladesh notched record growth in November this year as local drug makers secured new markets and larger orders, according to industry people.

Data from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) shows that the country's pharmaceutical shipments rose by 52.45 percent year-on-year to $92.58 million in the July-November period of the current fiscal year.

In November alone the sector fetched $22.73 million from exports, indicating substantial growth from the $13.14 million earned during the same month a year prior.

"Export orders usually increase this time each year if the overall situation remains normal, as reflected by the shipment volume," said Monjurul Alam, chief executive officer of Beacon Medicare Limited, a concern of Beacon Pharmaceuticals.

While acknowledging that export orders have risen significantly, he said the growth was aided by gradual improvements in the country's US dollar stock and the subsequent easing of letters of credit (LCs) opening for raw material imports.

And although the local pharmaceutical industry was rocked by worker unrest in September, the situation has been stabilising since October.

"Drug makers are now keen on boosting exports and finding new destinations," Alam added while citing how the international marketing teams of local exporters are working hard to this end.

Mujahidul Islam, executive director (marketing and sales) for both domestic and international markets at Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Limited, said major importers like Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar have resumed placing orders.

Against this backdrop, he expressed optimism that exports will grow further in the coming days as global economies continue to recover from economic crises brought on by the Russia-Ukraine war.

Besides, existing importers have started placing larger orders, Islam said while adding that the export growth was not equally shared by all in the local industry.

Ananta Saha, international business manager of Renata Limited, said they achieved their desired export growth this year despite facing a number of challenges, such as rising raw material import prices.

"Although we did not get significant growth over the past five months, the current growth rate is sustainable," he added.

Saha also said nearly all of the leading pharmaceutical exporters are working to secure approval from drug enforcement agencies of foreign economies in a bid to expand their global footprints.

However, he informed that despite increased exports, the profit margins of local drug makers decreased as a result of the higher US dollar rates and rising raw material import costs.

"Manufacturers could not raise their product prices even though taka's depreciation against the greenback hiked the production cost," Saha added.

The country exports pharmaceutical products to at least 151 countries, including those in the EU, Africa and Latin America as well as the US, after catering to 98 percent of the domestic demand, according to Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries.​

 

[Saif]

Pakistan wants to import medicine from Bangladesh

Pakistan has shown its keenness to import medicine from Bangladesh...

www.newagebd.net

Pakistan wants to import medicine from Bangladesh
United News of Bangladesh . Dhaka 15 December, 2024, 17:24

Pakistan high commissioner to Bangladesh Syed Ahmed Maroof calls on health adviser Nurjahan Begum at her office in Dhaka on Sunday. | UNB Photo

Pakistan has shown its keenness to import medicine from Bangladesh.

Pakistan high commissioner to Bangladesh Syed Ahmed Maroof expressed the interest when he called on health adviser Nurjahan Begum at her office on Sunday.

Bangladesh had made significant progress in the pharmaceutical sector, and Pakistan was interested in importing medicines from Bangladesh, said Maroof.

Healthcare, trade, and overall cooperation between the two countries came for discussion during the meeting.​

 

[Saif]

Sergel nearing Tk 1,000cr annual sales

Sergel is heading towards generating Tk 1,000 crore in annual sales as over Tk 900 crore worth of the gastrological medicine was sold in the first nine months of this year, according to information technology company IMS Health.

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Sergel nearing Tk 1,000cr annual sales

Sergel is heading towards generating Tk 1,000 crore in annual sales as over Tk 900 crore worth of the gastrological medicine was sold in the first nine months of this year, according to information technology company IMS Health.

This is one of the largest selling products in the country.

Md Halimuzzaman, CEO of Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Ltd, said he was proud of this single brand of the company reaching such high sales, although it had not reached Tk 1,000 crore yet.

Since the customer base is high, the sales growth now appears low compared to previous years but there is potential for further growth, he said.

The second and third-highest selling medicine brands are also from the same gastrological generic. Sales of Maxpro and Pantonix have reached Tk 486 crore and Tk 376 crore respectively.

In the pharmaceuticals market, the market share of gastrologic products is the highest and Sergel has earned the highest market share over the years for its acceptance among doctors and patients, said Halimuzzaman.

Among the 10 top-selling drug brands, five are gastrological medicines.

Sergel holds a 2.67 percent market share, with sales worth Tk 918 crore in the nine-month period.

Maxpro holds a 1.41 percent market share and the market share of Pantonix is 1.10 percent, the data showed.

Apart from Sergel, some other brands have become popular over the years, said Halimuzzaman.

The fourth-highest selling drug in the nine months period was Napa, with sales reaching Tk 338 crore.

Sales of Cef-3, Monas, Exium, Seclo and Bizoran are also above Tk 200 crore.

Almost all the drug companies have their own brands of these drugs, which bear the same molecular formula, but some gained popularity on gaining people's confidence. And this confidence passes from person to person, he said.

There are 31 generic drugs that sell for over Tk 100 crore. The data showed that sales of 79 generic medicine were above Tk 50 crore.

The data indicates that although the sales of individual brands of products of some companies may not be high, but the brand value of the companies themselves ensures high sales of all their medicines.

Jubayer Alam, company secretary of Renata PLC, said most people over 18 years of age take gastrological medicine as there is no discipline when it comes to food intake and habits.

Due to this, many people suffer from ailments affecting the digestive system, he said.

Demand is growing for rosuvastatin drugs, which lowers cholesterol, as many people are dying of heart attacks, he added.

Even in developed countries, demand for such medicine is growing, so it also may see a good growth in the country, he added.

"We are really happy that we can serve a huge number of patients to overcome ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease and hyperacidity related problems with Maxpro," Alam said.

"All Maxpro formulations are manufactured in USFDA, UKMHRA and Anvisa approved facilities so that patients get the best esomeprazole of the country," he added.​

 

[Saif]

It's time to switch to generic prescriptions

The pharmaceutical sector of Bangladesh has achieved quite a success in terms of quality and overseas market penetration. The country exports medicines to over 150 countries with several of the over 250 functional drug manufacturers sending their products even to highly regulated markets like the U

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

It's time to switch to generic prescriptions
Shiabur Rahman
Published :
Jan 09, 2025 22:30
Updated :
Jan 09, 2025 22:30

The pharmaceutical sector of Bangladesh has achieved quite a success in terms of quality and overseas market penetration. The country exports medicines to over 150 countries with several of the over 250 functional drug manufacturers sending their products even to highly regulated markets like the USA. The local people, however, cannot enjoy the full benefit of the advancement because of the policy constraints that fail to make doctors prescribe medications by their generic names.

The reluctance of doctors to write the generic names of drugs keeps the patients vulnerable to doctors' discretion to prescribe medications by the brand names they wish. This practice raises concerns about affordability, transparency, and accessibility in a country where a significant portion of the population is poor.

Several interrelated factors are responsible for doctors' reluctance to prescribe medications by their generic names with a few of them being pharmaceutical marketing influence, perceived quality concerns, habitual practices, and lack of awareness among patients.

The pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh is highly competitive, with companies competing with each other to draw doctors' attention. Aggressive marketing campaigns, promotional gifts, sponsored trips, and financial incentives are responsible for prescribing some branded medicines. It is very obvious that the doctors who take benefit from any pharmaceutical brand will feel compelled, consciously or unconsciously, to support them, sidelining the use of generics.

Doctors in Bangladesh always stand against the provision of prescribing drugs by their generic names. They argue that if the doctors are compelled to mention only the generic names of medicines, drugstores will decide which brand they will sell to patients, making users vulnerable to low quality medicines, as most citizens are not educated enough to know the difference. It is a misconception. Generic drugs contain the same active ingredients as their branded counterparts and are subject to rigorous quality control measures, particularly bioequivalence tests. Through bioequivalence, the generic drug's biomass and concentration level in blood plasma are compared to the originally researched drugs, and if the results are found to be similar or the difference is within a permissible limit, it is considered to be a bioequivalent tested drug.

Pharmaceutical companies conduct bioequivalence tests on the drugs they export as the regulatory authorities in most of the destination markets have made such tests mandatory, but they usually do not conduct the test on the medicines they sell in the local market. The country's resource constraints act as a deterrent to bioequivalence tests of drugs. Currently there are only two-three institutions in the country which can conduct such tests and the test of a single drug costs around Tk2.0 million. But why does Bangladesh not begin working on the expansion of the facilities to ensure that the tests are more accessible and affordable for the drug manufacturers?

Medical education in Bangladesh puts little emphasis on generic prescription. The medical curriculum here emphasises branded medications, making doctors accustomed to using brand names during their studies and continuing the practice in their professional lives. A lack of awareness among patients also contributes to promotion of the prescription of brand drugs. Patients often trust doctors to make the best decisions for their health and may not question the prescribed brands. This reduces pressure on doctors to prioritise generic options.

Switching to prescriptions based on generic names is not just a matter of convenience; it is a necessity for building a fair and equitable healthcare system in Bangladesh. Such prescription can significantly lower the cost of medicine for patients, which is critically important for a country where a large segment of the population lives below the poverty line. Branded medications are not available everywhere, particularly in remote or rural areas. Prescription of generics ensures that patients have the flexibility to choose from multiple manufacturers. The practice will eliminate doubts about conflicts of interest between doctors and pharmaceutical companies. It fosters greater trust in the healthcare system by prioritising patients' welfare over corporate profits.

Shifting to prescriptions based on generic names could transform the healthcare landscape in Bangladesh. Almost all developed nations and many developing countries like India have switched to such a prescription method. It is high time for Bangladesh to follow suit.​

 

[Saif]

Drugmakers hiring cross-discipline grads amid biomedicine expansion

Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by young talent and innovation, according to pharmaceutical professionals. .The industry is shifting from chemical-based medicines to biomedicines, offering fresh graduates unique opportunities to shap

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Drugmakers hiring cross-discipline grads amid biomedicine expansion

Bangladesh's pharmaceutical industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by young talent and innovation, according to pharmaceutical professionals.

The industry is shifting from chemical-based medicines to biomedicines, offering fresh graduates unique opportunities to shape the country's future as a global contributor to the pharmaceutical sector, they said.

By fostering research, innovation, and cross-disciplinary roles, the pharmaceutical industry is creating meaningful employment for a generation eager to devote their talent, they stated.

The pharmacists also said the sector now embraces a diverse pool of talent from fields such as biotechnology, genetic engineering, biochemistry, and chemical engineering, challenging the long-held perception that pharmacy graduates dominate these roles.

For example, biochemists are finding opportunities in business development for regulated markets, while pharmacists are being trained to manage intellectual property for pharmaceutical innovations.

The shift toward advanced manufacturing and complex product formulation has further diversified career paths.

Roles such as quality assurance executives, regulatory affairs specialists, and analytical scientists have emerged to meet the demands of stringent global standards.

Several leading companies, including Square Pharmaceuticals PLC, Incepta Pharmaceuticals, Aristopharma, ACI HealthCare Ltd, Globe Biotech, Beacon Pharmaceuticals PLC, and Ziska Pharmaceuticals, are investing heavily in biologics, signalling significant growth in this area.

Biomedicine, which focuses on treatments derived from biological sources, has become a central focus for these companies.

"There are vast opportunities for young graduates in pharmacy, biotechnology, biochemistry, and related disciplines," said M Mohibuz Zaman, managing director and chief executive director of ACI HealthCare Ltd.

"They can contribute across production, quality control, research, and marketing departments in pharmaceutical companies," he said.

Zaman added that expertise in pharmacy is essential across all fields of the pharmaceutical industry, noting, "The future for quality young pharmacists is bright, both at home and abroad."

By channelling their passion into industries like pharmaceuticals, Bangladesh can build a robust economy driven by innovation and self-reliance, he stated.

According to Zaman, as young Bangladeshis rise to meet these opportunities, the country is poised to become a global pharmaceutical powerhouse, showcasing the power of youth-led progress.

"Over the last 20 years, the pharmaceutical sector has grown tenfold, significantly expanding job opportunities for fresh graduates in pharmacy, biotechnology, and related disciplines," said Md Mizanur Rahman, general manager of Incepta Pharmaceuticals.

However, two decades ago, pharmacy and related fields were not widely pursued due to limited opportunities, he noted.

Rahman explained that these disciplines have now become a top choice for students, driven by the sector's immense growth and demand for skilled professionals.

This surge in the pharmaceutical market has created diverse career paths for fresh graduates, spanning supply chain management, regulatory affairs, technical services, marketing, and training within pharmaceutical companies.

He emphasised that as the market continues to expand, so does the need for trained professionals to support the industry's dynamic growth.

The evolving landscape offers young professionals an exciting platform to thrive and contribute to one of Bangladesh's most promising sectors, he said.

"Local pharmaceutical companies in Bangladesh are progressively transitioning from chemical medicines to biomedicines," said Md Abu Zafor Sadek, deputy general manager at UniMed UniHealth Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

This shift is creating opportunities for fresh graduates specialising in biotechnology and genetic engineering to make valuable contributions to the pharmaceutical sector, he said.

Sadek noted that most top public and private universities in Bangladesh now offer undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in biotechnology and genetic engineering.

These institutions produce approximately 700 graduates annually, creating a skilled workforce ready to meet the demands of the evolving pharmaceutical industry, he said.

In addition to laboratory, research and development-related roles, Sadek emphasised that fresh graduates have promising career prospects in pharmaceutical marketing departments.

These departments require skilled individuals with expertise in biomedicine to manage and promote specialised product segments effectively.

According to the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (Bapi), there are over 160 pharmaceutical companies in Bangladesh.

Once dependent on imported medicines, the country has become self-sufficient, producing 98 percent of its domestic medicinal needs.

With a market worth $3.5 billion and an annual growth rate of 12 percent, the pharmaceutical industry is a shining example of innovation and resilience, according to Bapi.

Zaman of the ACI highlighted that this growth extends beyond local demands, as Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies now export high-quality generics to stringent regulatory markets, including the US, the UK, and Europe.

This transformation has redefined career opportunities for young professionals, marking a new era for the country's pharmaceutical sector, he pointed out.​