Bangladesh produces biological medicines and reaches milestone

Bangladesh is nearly self-sufficient in medicine, with about 97 percent of demand met by local manufacturers. However, the biological medicines are largely imported from abroad.

Bangladesh produces medicines invented in other countries without any payment for the intellectual property. This makes it possible to produce medicines locally at low costs.

But this privilege will end as the country has withdrawn from the group of least developed countries (LDCs) and will have to spend huge amounts of money on intellectual property rights from 2026 onwards. Then there is a risk that medicine prices will rise. Local production can therefore significantly reduce the cost of medicines.

While speaking to Prothom Alo, Kakan Nag said, “We have proven our scientific knowledge and latest technical expertise by producing the biologic drug. We will be able to develop many biological drugs, including monoclonal antibodies and insulin. All that is needed is a fair environment, policies and support.”