The pharmaceutical sector of Bangladesh has achieved many milestones over the previous 14 years. Not solely do native firms now meet 90 % of the nation’s demand for medicines, however the merchandise are additionally exported to round 150 nations, fetching tons of of tens of millions of {dollars}.
Nonetheless, among the many most important strides the sector has made is its development within the manufacture of life-saving most cancers treatment.
Within the final 14 years, pharmaceutical firms like Beacon, Eskayef, Renata, Incepta, Healthcare, and Techno Pharma produced greater than 110 sorts of oncological medication.
Round 17 native firms are manufacturing anti-cancer drug merchandise. Due to their daring initiatives, sufferers in Bangladesh can now entry most cancers medication at reasonably priced costs, which have introduced down the price of remedy.
Monjural Alam, chief government officer of Beacon Medicare, stated the costs of such medication in Europe and the US are past the buying capability of many sufferers.
“There’s a shortage of life-saving medication worldwide. When the medication can be found, they’re normally past the attain of widespread folks. To this finish, we have now established a facility inside our firm to serve world sufferers,” he stated.
Earlier than 2009, there was scepticism relating to Beacon’s potential to fabricate refined most cancers medication. Nonetheless, the plant has change into profitable, and sufferers should buy life-saving medication at affordable costs.
Claiming that Beacon pioneered the manufacturing of most cancers medication in Bangladesh, he stated it now meets round half of the native demand for most cancers medication.
Earlier than 2010, Bangladesh relied fully on imports for oncology medication. This implies solely sufferers from financially solvent households might afford most cancers remedy because of the exorbitant value of medicines. Right now, it not solely meets home consumption but in addition serves as an exporter within the world market.
“This achievement was made potential by the dedication of native pharmaceutical firms and the belief positioned by docs and sufferers in native merchandise,” Alam stated.
Based on producers, native firms produce round 99 % of oncology medication, but some sufferers nonetheless resort to imported medication or unofficial imports.
Not too long ago, pharmaceutical firms have been affected immensely because of the provide chain disruptions and the greenback disaster towards the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine warfare. The state of affairs is enhancing following the collaborative efforts of the federal government and drug producers.
It offers medicines price Tk 3 crore to poor sufferers yearly.
Beacon plans to ascertain a second oncology plant to satisfy the rising world demand for most cancers medication. The corporate can be contemplating establishing a palliative care centre to alleviate the struggling of sufferers.
A relative newcomer to the scene is Eskayef Oncology, which commenced its journey in 2018. Nonetheless, the corporate, which boasts superior applied sciences, has expanded its footprint past Bangladesh very quickly.
It is likely one of the few Asian firms to have secured approval from the European Union Good Manufacturing Observe (EU GMP) to supply anti-cancer medicines. That is recognised by 27 nations of the EU and is taken into account a passport for entry into the worldwide market.
“This recognition facilitated the entry of our medication into the EU market and varied different nations,” stated Mohammad Mujahidul Islam, government director (advertising and marketing and gross sales) of Eskayef.
Eskayef is presently exporting merchandise to over 60 nations.
“Due to trendy applied sciences, services, and unwavering dedication, Eskayef Oncology is dedicated to delivering reasonably priced and globally commonplace anti-cancer merchandise to sufferers each at dwelling and overseas,” he stated.
Prof Golam Mohiuddin Faruque, president of the Bangladesh Most cancers Society, stated Bangladesh has achieved large enchancment in most cancers remedy and anti-cancer drug manufacturing.
Bangladesh exported most cancers medication price Tk 1,000 crore in 2023. The quantity was round Tk 500 crore in 2019. Native gross sales of most cancers medication have reached Tk 800 crore to Tk 1,000 crore as demand is rising by a mean of 15 % annually, in keeping with the producers.
Prof SM Abdur Rahman, chairman of the pharmacy division on the College of Dhaka, stated Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical firms have arrange world-class manufacturing vegetation outfitted with refined equipment, enabling them to supply top-class medication.
He thinks there isn’t a doubt that Bangladesh’s oncology merchandise will dominate the world market, assembly world requirements, high quality, and cost-effectiveness.
There are areas of concern.
After 2026, when Bangladesh graduates from the group of least-developed nations, native pharmaceutical firms should observe patent pointers whereas manufacturing medication, together with oncology merchandise. If medicines are produced following the patent rights, the medication can be costlier within the native market.
To avert the state of affairs, Bangladesh initially tried to increase its Commerce-Associated Facets of Mental Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver by six to 9 years after which as much as January 1, 2033. Nonetheless, on the twelfth Ministerial Convention of the World Commerce Organisation (WTO) in Geneva in June 2022, world leaders didn’t prolong the TRIPS deadline for graduating LDCs.
Beneath the present settlement, drug-makers in LDCs can produce any generic drugs with out having to observe patent pointers till January 1, 2033. However the profit is just not relevant to graduating LDCs akin to Bangladesh.
Beacon’s Alam, nonetheless, stated it could be relevant for under new molecules, which comprise few medication. “So, the prescription drugs sector won’t face vital challenges after commencement.”
