111 replies to this topic

[Maruf]

http://banglapedia.s...d/HT/P_0154.htm

Pharmaceutical Industry has grown in Bangladesh in the last two decades at a considerable rate. Its healthy growth supports development of auxiliary industries for producing glass bottles, plastic containers, aluminium collapsible tubes, aluminium PP caps, infusion sets, disposable syringes, and corrugated cartons. Some of these products are also being exported. Printing and packaging industries and even the advertising agencies consider pharmaceutical industry as their major clients and a key driving force for their growth.

The sector consistently creates job opportunities for highly qualified people. Many established entrepreneurs of today started with pharmaceutical companies in the country. Pharmaceutical companies are either directly or indirectly contributing largely towards raising the standard of healthcare through enabling local healthcare personnel to gain access to newer products and also to latest drug information.

Following the Drug (Control) Ordinance of 1982, some of the local pharmaceutical companies improved range and quality of their products considerably. The national companies account for more than 65% of the pharmaceutical business in Bangladesh. However, among the top 20 companies of Bangladesh 6 are multinationals. Almost all the life saving imported products and new innovative molecules are channelled into and marketed in Bangladesh through these companies. Multinational and large national companies generally follow current good manufacturing practices (cGMP) including rigorous quality control of their products. The Drug Act of 1940 and its rules formed the basis of the country's drug legislation. Unani, ayurvedic, homeopathic and biochemic medicines were exempted from control under the legislation. The pharmaceutical industry was dominated by the foreign companies at that time. Even in the allopathic market there were extemporaneous preparations dispensed from retail pharmacies.

The pharmaceutical industry, however, like all other sectors in Bangladesh, was much neglected during Pakistan regime. Most multinational companies had their production facilities in West Pakistan. With the emergence of Bangladesh in 1971, the country inherited a poor base of pharmaceutical industry. For several years after liberation, the government could not increase budgetary allocations for the health sector. Millions of people had little access to essential life saving medicines. With the promulgation of the Drug (Control) Ordinance of 1982 many medicinal products considered harmful, useless or unnecessary got removed from the market allowing availability of essential drugs to increase at all levels of the healthcare system. Increased competition helped maintain prices of selected essential drugs at the minimum and affordable level.

In 1981, there were 166 licensed pharmaceutical manufacturers in the country, but local production was dominated by eight multinational companies (MNCs) which manufactured about 75% of the products. There were 25 medium sized local companies which manufactured 15% of the products and the remaining 10% were produced by other 133 small local companies. All these companies were mainly engaged in formulation out of imported raw materials involving an expenditure of Tk 600 million in foreign exchange. In spite of having 166 local pharmaceutical production units, the country had to spend nearly Tk 300 million on importing finished medicinal products. A positive impact of the Drug (Control) Ordinance of 1982 was that the limited available foreign currency was exclusively utilised for import of pharmaceutical raw materials and finished drugs, which are not produced in the country. The value of locally produced medicines rose from Tk 1.1 billion in 1981 to Tk 16.9 billion in 1999. At present, 95% of the total demand of medicinal products is met by local production. Local companies (LCs) increased their share from 25% to 70% on total annual production between 1981 and 2000.

In 2000, there were 210 licensed allopathic drug-manufacturing units in the country, out of which only 173 were on active production; others were either closed down on their own or suspended by the licensing authority for drugs due to non compliance to GMP or drug laws. They manufactured about 5,600 brands of medicines in different dosage forms. There were, however, 1,495 wholesale drug license holders and about 37,700 retail drug license holders in Bangladesh. Anti-infective is the largest therapeutic class of locally produced medicinal products, distantly followed by antacids and anti-ulcerants.

Other significant therapeutic classes include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), vitamins, central nervous system (CNS) and respiratory products. A most remarkable progress the local industry has made in recent time is the phenomenal increase in the local production of basic chemicals. There are now 13 drug manufacturing units, which also manufacture certain basic materials. These include Paracetamol, Ampicillin Trihydrate, Amoxycillin Trihydrate, Diclofenac Sodium, Aluminium Hydroxide Dried Gel, Dextrose Monohydrate, Hard Gelatin capsule shell, Chloroquine Phosphate, Propranolol Hydrochloride, Benzoyl Metronidazole, Sodium Stibogluconate (Stibatin) and Pyrantel Pamoate. However, most of these are confined to the last stage of synthesis. There are three public sector drug manufacturing units. Two of them are the Dhaka and Bogra units of Essential Drug Company Ltd. (EDCL), which is functioning as a public limited company under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. EDCL produced medicines worth Tk 964 million in 2000. There are separate vaccines and large volume IV fluids production units under the Institute of Public Health (IPH). The productions of both EDCL and IPH are mostly used in government hospitals and institutions. In 2000, there were 261 unani, 161 ayurvedic, 76 homeopathic and biochemic licensed manufacturing units. They produced medicines worth Tk 1.2 billion in 2000.

One of the major positive impacts of Drug (Control) Ordinance is the rapid development of local manufacturing capability. Almost all types of possible dosage forms include tablets, capsules, oral and external liquids (solutions, suspensions, emulsions), ointments, creams, injections (small volume ampoules/dryfill vials/suspensions and large volume IV fluids), and aerosol inhalers are now produced in the country. In recent years, the country has achieved self-sufficiency in large volume parenterals, some quantities of which are also exported to other countries. The development of local manufacturing capability helped contain dependence on the import of pharmaceutical products (raw material and finished product) around pre-1982 level. Under the Drug (Control) Ordinance government fixes the maximum retail prices (MRP) of 117 essential drug chemical substances. Drugs other than these essential ones are priced through a system of indicative prices. This rule applies on the locally manufactured products only. For imported finished products, a fixed percentage of markup is applied on the C&F price to arrive at the MRP, regardless of whether they are within the list of essential 117 molecules or not. It is interesting to note that, even with withdrawal of price control from many products, prices have not shot up; healthy competition has been keeping the prices within affordable levels.

Physical distribution of pharmaceuticals in Bangladesh has evolved in a unique way. Unlike other countries Bangladesh pharmaceutical industry is more retail oriented and bulk of distribution is done by the companies themselves. Pharmaceutical companies distribute their products from their own warehouses located in different parts of the country, as no professional distribution house is available. Wholesalers play a limited role in this regard since companies supply goods to both retailers and wholesalers. Export of pharmaceutical products is still in an infant stage, although a number of private pharmaceutical companies have already entered the export market with their basic materials and finished products. They export their products to Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Yemen, Oman, Thailand, and some countries of Central Asia and Africa.

The primary responsibility for drug quality control lies with the manufacturers. However, the government's drug testing laboratories (DTL) and the Directorate of Drug Administration (DDA) have the monitoring and supervising role. There are two government drug testing laboratories. DTL at Dhaka is in the Institute of Public Health and the regional DTL at Chittagong is under DDA. Drug administration is responsible for registration of drugs for marketing in Bangladesh and for inspection of premises and licensing. With its present set up and inadequate strength, DDA often finds it difficult to carry out its very large volume of assigned work. The national drug policy and the regulatory control policies are yet to achieve best results for a healthy growth of the pharmaceutical industry. Because of the limited capacity of the government's drug testing laboratories, the quality of products manufactured locally cannot be uniformly ensured. Restrictions on patent rights discourage foreign investors to come up actively in the pharmaceutical market in Bangladesh. Introduction of new research molecules is difficult due to slow registration process and restrictions on patent protection. Although the fixed mark-up system of pricing helped keep the prices of pharmaceutical products low, this made it difficult to cover costs of marketing and distribution. The fixed mark-up system also discourages some companies to invest for cGMP and assurance of high quality production. Some important therapeutic classes of the pharmaceutical market (antacids and oral vitamins) are only open to the local companies even after 20 years of the drug ordinance. This policy is discriminatory and also contrary to the announced investment policy of the government.

The annual per capita drug consumption in Bangladesh is one of the lowest in the world. However, the industry has been a key contributor to the Bangladesh economy since independence. With the development of healthcare infrastructure and increase of health awareness and the purchasing capacity of people, this industry is expected to grow at a higher rate in future. Healthy growth is likely to encourage the pharmaceutical companies to introduce newer drugs and newer research products, while at the same time maintaining a healthy competitiveness in respect of the most essential drugs. [A K M Shamsuddin and K M A Humayun Hye]

[Maruf]

Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW

Vol. 4 Num 301 Fri. April 02, 2004

Business

[b]WTO Deal Opens Opportunity for LDCs

Bangladesh can export Tk 10,000cr drugs a year[/b]

Star Business Report

Bangladesh has the potential to export more than Tk 10,000 crore worth of drugs a year, according to Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industry (BAPI).

At the 33rd annual general meeting (AGM) of BAPI on Wednesday in Dhaka, the association leaders said Bangladesh among the least developed countries (LCDs) could be the single largest drug exporter after 2005.


"Among the LDCs Bangladesh is the only country which is almost hundred percent dependent on drugs produced locally and the country has huge potential to export drugs to over 50 new countries after 2005," said F M Shafiuzaman, president of BAPI.


The WTO agreement on drug has opened huge export opportunity for LDCs after 2005. Only 49 LDCs, including Bangladesh, will be able to export their patented drugs. Other countries, including India and China, will not be able to export their patented drugs, as the facility will be reserved for LDCs until 2016.


The local industry exports drugs to 52 nations including Germany, Taiwan, Singapore, the UK, the Netherlands, Chile, France, Pakistan, Kenya and Sudan.


The products include wide range of therapeutic medicines including high-tech specialised products like, inhalers and nasal sprays.


BAPI has already identified about 30 countries most of which depend on import of drugs as potential market.


"Malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS drugs are in great demand in Africa and Bangladesh can be number one manufacturer and exporter of the drugs," said Nazmul Hassan, general secretary of BAPI.


The association leaders urged the government to waive taxes, duties and other levies on import of equipment for research and development of drugs.

Health Minister Khandaker Moshraf Hossain told a seminar organised to mark BAPI AGM that his ministry would act as a bargaining agent to help local pharmaceutical companies make inroads into international drug market. "We like to see our pharmaceutical industry double its production capacity."

The minister also promised to talk to the finance ministry to cut all the existing taxes and duties on import of equipment meant for research and development of drugs.

[Maruf]

[b]Country eyes big boost in drug export in 2005[/b]


The Ministry of Health Ministry is ready to act as bargaining agent to overcome the existing problems paving the way for Bangladesh pharmaceuticals to dominate the international drug export market availing of the opportunity of WTO agreement on drug export from 2005.

Health Minister Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain made the remarks at a seminar titled “Export Opportunities of Pharmaceuticals from Bangladesh in the Context of Globalization.”

According to the Trade-related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs)/WTO agreement, only 49 least developed countries (LDCs), including Bangladesh, will be able to export their patented drugs from January next year.

The keynote paper presented at the seminar said all other countries, including India and China, would not be able to export their patented drugs, as the LDCs will get the facility till 2016.

Among the 49 LDCs, Bangladesh is the only country, which has a very strong manufacturing base in pharmaceuticals while 16 LDCs have no manufacturing base. A number of pharmaceutical products of Bangladesh have already earned international recognition for their quality.

The year 2005 is going to open the door to enormous export opportunities for Bangladesh pharmaceutical sector. Bangladesh can export its products to a good number of countries, which are 100 per cent dependents on imported drugs, according to the keynote paper.

Secretary General of Bangladesh Aushad Shilpa Samity (BASS) Nazmul Hassan presented the keynote paper focussing on a number of areas like government inertia, administrative bottlenecks and incentives offered by other countries to their pharmaceutical industries for export although Bangladesh has enormous prospect of drug export.

He said some Tk 5,000 to 6,000 crore could be earned by exporting pharmaceutical products in 2006 if the sector get support and cooperation from the government. He hoped that the pharmaceutical products would emerge as the largest export items of Bangladesh.

BASS organised the seminar on the occasion of its annual dinner at Hotel Sonargaon Wednesday evening. State Minister for Health Mizanur Rahman Sinha, Director Drug Administration Prof Dr Abdul Gani addressed the seminar, chaired by BASS president SM Shafiuzzaman.

The Health Minister said few of our policymakers are aware that Bangladesh pharmaceutical products are exported to 52 countries after meeting 96-97 per cent of domestic demand.

“I don’t understand why this vital sector won’t get proper treatment and go ahead to explore its potentials in the international market,” he wondered. “Certainly there are some gaps and lack of coordination.”

Referring to the brighter export prospects to be opened up for Bangladesh and other LDCs from 2005, he said, “strategies should be taken from now, or else, we’ll fall behind in this matter.”

Dr Mosharraf said, “There are people who think that Health Ministry and Drug Administration are the watchdogs to only monitor drug manufacturing and quality control while for trade and business there is Commerce Ministry. Here lies the misunderstanding.”

“…come to the Health Ministry, it will extend help for export,” he told the seminar, attended by the owners of pharmaceutical industries and officials of the Health Ministry and Drug Administration.

The Health Minister said when there is a win-win situation why this sector cannot advance, “I think there is some gap and it should be overcome.”

About various proposals and problems raised by the keynote speaker, the Minister assured that he would do everything possible to resolve their problems and take steps to capture the international market of pharmaceutical products.

He said if necessary a national coordination committee would be formed to formulate strategies for the export of pharmaceutical products.

[Maruf]

http://www.pharmabiz...a...06§ionid=50

[b]'Self-reliance through trade and industry tie-ups is our prime focus now'[/b]

Looking at the current pharmaceutical industry scenario in Bangladesh, S M Shafiuzzaman, president, Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industry (BAPI), is buoyant about the high potential of the country's future as a global sourcing base. Speaking to Chronicle Pharmabiz in a telephonic interview, he dwells on the strong fundamentals of the industry and also the basics for the future projections of the sector.

BAPI is the premier pharmaceutical industry association and the trade and promotion body, which represents more than 200 pharma manufacturers in the country responsible for almost 97 per cent of the drug formulation production of Bangladesh.

[b]How would you substantiate the growth perspectives of your country''s pharmaceutical industry?[/b]

The current growth rate of pharmaceutical industry of Bangladesh is around 22 per cent. During the year 2001, the total turnover of the industry was estimated to the tune of 20,000 million Taka and based on this our expected business by the 2005 would touch 50,000 million Taka. Apart from these current business parameters, I would like to point out the very basic business rationales for the growth prospects of the industry here.

The most topical and very important advantage of the country as far as the pharmaceutical sector is concerned is the LDS status under the TRIPS. Based on the Doha declaration, Bangladesh will be able to produce drugs until 2016, which are still under patent protection.

Secondly, since the National Drug Policy of Bangladesh encourages the local production of raw materials and bulk drugs within the country, it offers a very extensive opportunity in the growth direction. With highly qualified people involved thorough all the stages of production, the pharma sector of Bangladesh is at the threshold of attaining self-sufficiency in the area of producing the high quality drugs and medicines.

[b]What are the strategic approaches the industry has already worked out towards this goal?[/b]

Bangladesh has all the potential to become a major global source of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API), as based on the Doha declaration the country can produce drugs until 2016 which are still under patent protection. But, this will require participation from many local as well as foreign companies where every stakeholder will benefit of the vast potential that Bangladesh can offer.

The local entre-preneurs are capable and willing to invest and collaborate with suitable foreign partners in order to, further develop the existing API manufacturing facilities, so that we can not only minimize import dependency to a great extent but would be able to export the APIs at a later stage.

[b]How helpful is the industry and trade promotional initiatives on global level?[/b]

Since 1972, BAPI has been the only recognized association for pharmaceutical manufacturers in Bangladesh playing pivotal role in the development of pharmaceutical sector. It gives me immense pleasure to inform you that the Association is going to organize Asia Pharma Expo 2003 (APE 2003), an international pharmaceutical exhibition in February 2003, which is biggest of its kind in Bangladesh.

I am sure that such events will provide excellent opportunity for exchanging new ideas and views with experts relating to pharmaceutical development. At the proposed event, renowned speakers have also been invited to discuss on the implications of TRIPS on pharmaceutical industry and how to meet the post-WTO challenges.

I hope these kind of pharmaceutical exhibitions and shows will provide a unique opportunity for the outside world, especially the SAARC countries in the area of technology and process know-how, research & development, contract manufacturing, biotechnology and information technology, which are the essential areas required by the current as well as future pharmaceutical industry.

[Maruf]

http://www.newagebd.com/busi.html#2


Bangladesh pharma companies eye African market

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

BANGLADESH’s pharmaceutical industry now looks to step into the unexplored African medicine market, starting from Uganda.

Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd, country’s one of the leading drug manufacturers, has already made necessary arrangements to make its debut in the potential East African market, says an Internet news.

“We have been exploring African countries and realised there is a huge market potential for our drugs and we will create our market as soon as possible,” Nazmul Hassan, chief executive officer of Beximco Pharma, said while meeting the Ugandan business community at Fairway Hotel in Kampala recently.
Currently, a seven-member Bangladeshi delegation is visiting East Africa.

During the meeting, the Beximco Pharma chief executive urged the Ugandan business community to import from Bangladesh since Uganda produces only 5-6 per cent of the drug demand.

Hasan Shihab, president of the Ugandan local pharmaceuticals association, said that Bangladesh can form joint venture with the local entrepreneurs.

He advised the Bangladesh delegation to invest in Uganda as soon as possible.

With poor raw material base and lack of aggressive marketing drive, country’s thriving pharmaceutical industry seems unprepared for exploiting the export potentials opening for it from next year, industry sources said.

They sought the government’s support in setting up modern laboratory to help the industry have a good share in the post-2004 market pie.

According to TRIPs agreement of WTO, developing countries like China and India will have to implement ‘Patent Laws’ from January 1, 2005 and loose the scope for producing and marketing non-patent drugs.

The same agreement, however, will open wider avenues for Bangladesh and other LDCs, as they are exempted from patent laws till 2016. Of 49 least developed countries, only Bangladesh has got a good manufacturing base for drug and her drugs have already found ways in East European, Asian and African markets.

But the local pharmaceutical industry, although acquired the excellence and standards to compete in the global market, is not yet fully prepared for making use of the opportunities ahead of it.

LDCs could be potential destinations for both patent and off-patent medicines of Bangladesh, as 34 African LDCs and nine Asian ones depend on import for meeting domestic medicine demand.

Industry leaders felt that Bangladesh missions, especially in African region, should play due role in creating market for Bangladesh’s drugs. “It’s difficult, also expensive, for an individual company to go to Sudan and find a market there,” an office-bearer of the association pointed out, seeking diplomatic role in getting exportable drugs registered in the destined countries.

Moreover, the drug administration authorities should also provide intending drug exporters with necessary information about the market and registration procedures of potential exporting countries.

“Indian companies get such services from the drug authorities there,” he cited.

The Bangladesh pharmaceutical industry has already achieved a strong manufacturing base for drug formulations and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), product quality, packaging and presentation, and experience and skills in international marketing.

If pharmaceutical exporters are given active supports and exporters put more impetus on exploring the potential markets abroad, the volume of exports of drugs and raw materials could be around Tk 5,000 crore within the next 3 to 4 years, pharmaceutical association said.

The industry fetched around Tk 100 crore as export earning in the last calendar year and is expecting a 10 per cent growth this year, it said.

[Mashraf]

Does any one know how many USD millions of foreign currencies are used to import medicine from outside?And what are they?

And how many lines of medicine oes BD produce without license(indegenous) and how many lines are produced under license, and how much are they worth?

And how much(USD) of our home produced medicines are exported yearly?

Grateful if anyone knows of the defenitive stats on the above. :thumbsup:

[bstrat]

Dhaka to host Asia Pharma Expo 2005
Bid to boost medicine export
Star Business Report

Bangladesh will host 'Asia Pharma Expo' next year in a bid to increase foreign exchange earning from the growing pharmaceuticals sector.

Leading medicine companies from Asia, Europe, Canada and the US will take part in the February 5-7 exhibition, organisers in Dhaka said.

Besides drug manufacturers, companies dealing with medicine industry machinery, accessories, packaging, research & development (R&D), environment control equipment and services will participate in the three-day mega exposition.


Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (Bapi) in association with Ahmedabad-based Global Pharma Expo (GPE) of India, an event management company, will organise the show at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre.


Earlier, Bangladesh successfully hosted the 2003 version of Asia Pharma Expo, which created tremendous enthusiasm among local and international medicine companies. This year's Asia Pharma Expo was held in Malaysia in April.


Bapi President SM Shafiuzzaman said the exposition will help local companies expand market by showcasing their world class products. "It will also create scope in forming joint venture with foreign companies," he told The Daily Star.

There is huge potential for increasing medicine exports as World Trade Organisation arrangements allow companies in Bangladesh and other least developed countries (LDCs) to produce and export drugs without having patent rights until 2015.

"So, Bangladesh has a fair chance to emerge as a major drug exporter as we have the strongest infrastructure and expertise in the sector among LDCs," said Shafiuzzaman, also managing director of Hudson Pharmaceuticals Ltd.


Bangladesh still depends largely on imported raw materials with about 80 percent coming from abroad and the rest produced locally. The high dependence may elude local companies to take the opportunity of WTO rules, Shafiuzzaman said.


Although the government promised Tk 2000 crore investment for setting up an active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) park in Chittagong to produce raw materials locally, there is no efforts in sight to make the promise a reality, he said.

The Bapi president said the country's exports can hit Tk 10,000 crore a year by 2010 if the government sets up an API production unit. At present, Bangladeshi companies exports pharmaceutical products to 52 countries.


Export earnings from phar-maceuticals sector stood at Tk 50.22 crore in the first 10 months of the last fiscal year. The earning was Tk 52.37 crore in 2002-03.

The country has a total of 250 pharmaceutical companies in operation, of which 20-30 big players hold about half of the market. The companies meet about 95 percent of the Tk 3,000 crore domestic market.



http://www.thedailys...40815050244.htm

[Maruf]

http://www.thedailys...40921050258.htm

[b]KSA Health Minister Visits Two Pharma Plants
Saudi Arabia shows interest in Bangladesh medicine[/b]

UNB, Dhaka

A 3-day trip of a high-level Saudi delegation led by its health minister brightened the prospect of medicine export to the kingdom as it gave initial indication of importing medicines from Bangladesh.

Saudi Health Minister Dr Hamad Bin Abdullah Al-Manea expressed satisfaction over the production capability, facilities and environment in the pharmaceutical industries they visited in Dhaka yesterday.

Giving his instant reaction to newsmen after inspecting two premier drug-manufacturing industries in Dhaka, Dr Al-Manea said he was happy with production setup and environment in the two factories.

Replying to a ques|ion, he expressmd hope for the import of drugs from Bangladesh.

The Saudi health minister, however, said his country would take a lecision after the trip by another technical delegation comprising mainly drug experts to ascertain the quality of drugs.

The technical team will arrive in Dhaka within next two weeks while the present delegation left Dhaka yesterday.

Bangladesh Health Minister Dr Khandokar Mosharraf Hossain who accompanied his counterpart during the visit to the two pharma-factories said the spot inspection would have positive impact regarding the import of medicines by Saudi Arabia from Bangladesh as they will send another technical team soon.

Replying to a question, he said the present delegation did not come to sign any agreement but to have a look at the facilities and s|andard of health services and manufacturing of drugs in Bangladesh.

"The delegation has understood that standard medicines are being manufactured in Bangladesh," said the minister.

Dr Mosharraf hoped that their visit would be fruitful with regard to exporting drugs to Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Health Minister, along with the five members of his delegation, visited Beximco Pharma factory at Tongi and Incepta Pharmaceutical Industry at Savar in Dhaka.

The Saudi health minister, Dz Al-Manea, first drove to Beximco Pharma factory around 10am where its Chief Executive Officer Nazmul Hasan displayed and briefed about the pharmaceuticals they produce.

According to pharmaceutical industry owners, some 200 pharmaceutical industrie{ are in operation in Bangladesh of which 20 leading factories are producing international-standard medicines.

[b]Beximco Pharma is now manufacturing 142 drugs of different dosages with annual turnover of 50 million US dollars. [/b]

During the presentation he said Beximco exports majoz drug{, including inhaler, to many co}ntries, including Singapoze, Ru{sia, Pakistan, South Korea, Vietnam, Nepal and Kenya.

The Saudi delegation inspected some production units at the Beximco Pharma, including IV fluid plant, and also some production units at the Incepta factory.

Incepta Managing Director Abdul Muktadir presented documentation about the performance and production facilities, qualities and their policy.

The pharmaceutical company, formally launched in January 2000, now produces 207 items of drugs and is in the pipeline of exporting its products.

Muktadir said his company could ensure 100 percent international standards of their products.

[Maruf]

http://www.newagebd.com/busi.html#8

[b]‘Bangladesh can be top exporter of medicines’ [/b]

BSS, SAVAR, October 1

Bangladesh could be top a player in export of medicines and raw materials produced here if quality of products in the sector is improved.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain made the observation while visiting the factory of ACME Laboratories Ltd., a leading drugs manufacturing company, on Thursday.

The minister said that pharmaceutical companies of the country should utilise the opportunities of trade-related aspects of Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) to boost export earning from the sector.

He visited various sections of the modernised drug factory located at Dhamrai and expressed satisfaction at the manufacturing process, quality of drugs, hygiene and safety measures.

[b]"Bangladesh is the lone country which got the patent right among 49 least developed countries (LDCs)in implementing the TRIPS agreement," Mosharraf said. Local drug companies export medicines to 60 countries of the world after meeting 96 per cent of the local demand, he added.[/b]

The minister also mentioned that due to lack of campaign abroad, Bangladesh could not reach the expected position in export of medicines despite international standard drugs are being produced here.

He stressed the need for launching a campaign abroad for country's drugs as well as developing salesmanship to fetch more foreign currency from the sector.

He also asked the leaders of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) to take initiatives in this regard.

State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Anisur Rahman Sinha, Vice Chancellor of BSMMU and president of BMA Prof. M A Hadi, Secretary of the Ministry AFM Sarwar Kamal, Secretary General of BMA Prof. M A Zaid Hossain, President of BAPI S M Shafiuzzaman, Secretary General Nazmul Hossain, and Director of the Directorate of Drug Administration and Licensing Authority (Drugs) Prof. Dr. Md Habibur Rahman, among others, accompanied the minister

[Maruf]

http://www.pharmabiz...=19156§ionid=50

[b]Beximco: Innovator in the industry[/b]

Our Bureau, Mumbai

Started in the year 1980, Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (BPL) is one of the leading pharmaceutical manufacturer in Bangladesh. It belongs to Beximco Group, the largest private sector industrial conglomerate in the country which is majorly into textiles, jute, marine foods and real estate apart from basic chemicals and fine chemicals.

BPL commenced operations with products made under license of Bayer AG Germany; and Upjohn Inc. USA, nearly two decades back. BPL, today, manufactures and markets a range of about 80 formulations covering major therapeutic groups.

From a first year turnover of Tk. 24 million or $ 1.55 million in 1980, BPL has emerged as a business of Tk. 2.31 billion or $ 47.39 million in 1998. Over the last four years (1995 to 1998) BPL has been growing with a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5 per cent. Assets of the company have increased by more than 70 per cent over the last four years.

Total assets stood at $103 Million in 1998. Net profit margin of the company remains steady within a range of 1.1 to 14 per cent. This kept ROE (return on equity) stable over the last four years (approximately 13 per cent). BPL maintains healthy and stable dividend policy. Cash dividend payment varied within 15 to 40 per cent over the last four years (1995 to 1998), according to company sources.

Every year the company has been introducing 6 to 8 new items on an average, in its product portfolio to maintain the trend. Last year the company introduced 12 new products.

BPL launched vitamin B complex tablet Aristovit-B in the year 1983. Currently, BPL holds a 16 per cent share from multinational giants such as Glaxo-Welcome, Novartis, Hoecsht, Rhone Poulenc Rorer, Fisons etc. in the domestic market with total size of around $308 million.

The company was behind introducing the novel concept of marketing branded generics in Bangladesh. The company stands out for its strong product differentiation, progressive management, and aggressive exploration of opportunities, such as penetration of international markets, introduction of newer drugs and high tech dosage forms.

BPL's basic chemicals unit, commissioned in 1990 currently meets nearly 90 per cent of the country's demand for two vital raw materials, ampicillin and amoxycillin. It also exports to overseas markets, including South Korea and Malaysia. The company received the Export Gold Trophy in 19994-95 for its exports of these two basic chemicals.

Another wing of the Chemical Division, Beximco Infusions Ltd, (BIL) has an annual production capacity of 6 million bottles of life saving I.V. fluids. Started production in the year 1993, BIL has gained 41.62 per cent market share in 1998 in IV solutions. BIL claims to be the first infusions company in Bangladesh to obtain ISO 9001 certification.

In February 1998, BIL started operation of its second production line, which was installed by the Swedish Firm Getinge. This expansion has increased BIL's capacity to 12 million bottles of I.V. fluids per year. The market for IV fluids is expanding in Bangladesh and in 1998 BIL enjoyed a growth of 15.78, as per company sources.

Pharmatek Chemicals Ltd, managed and operated by BPL under long term contract, is a leading API producer of paracetamol in Bangladesh. It caters to almost 60 per cent of the local market and supplies its products to both national and multinational companies operating in Bangladesh.

With its distribution wing of the chemical division, I & I Services Ltd., the company covers 20,000 customers nationwide every month.

Beximco recently launched five anti-HIV/AIDS by the names - Diavix (Zidovudine + Lamivudine), Avifanz (Efavirenz), Avifix (Melfinavir), Triovix (Lamivudine + Zidovudine + Nevirapine) and Avilam (Lamivudine).

In its effort to reach the global markets, BPL is currently constructing a new formulations plant according to USFDA standards.

[Maruf]

http://www.newagebd.com/busi.html#1

[b]Medicine exports grow 330pc in Q1 [/b]

KAZI AZIZUL ISLAM

The study report prepared for the commerce ministry also recommended that the government should take up immediate and extensive facilitation measures for the sector considering its high prospect.

The report of the official export promotional agency says, $7.06 million worth of medicines were exported in July-September period of the 2004-05 financial year. In the same period of the corresponding fiscal, the country fetched $2.14 million from medicine export.

Earning from export of pharmaceutical products stood at $2.69 million in the FY 2004, the report added.

‘It is a tremendous growth which will sustain and increase according to our observation and analysis,’ said Mir Shahabuddin Mohammed, vice chairman of the bureau.

He said the bureau has recommended that the government should provide the sector with necessary support from various organs.

Detailing export performance in some African countries, the bureau chief said the African market has a huge demand for Bangladeshi pharmaceutical products.

A business delegation comprising bureau officials and exporters that visited Uganda, Tanzania and Malawi brought $0.5 million worth of spot orders while Beximco Pharma, a leading exporter, bagged another order worth $1,00,000 in the following month, he told New Age.

More such orders are in progress, the bureau chief said, adding that by February the bureau would send second mission to Africa which will visit Egypt, Libya, Sudan, Morocco and Algeria.

Bangladeshi pharmaceutical products have so far reached 79 countries, including Singapore, the EU and the Middle East.

He said the government is going to form this month a business promotion council to facilitate export of pharmaceutical products.

Headed by the commerce secretary, the body styled as Pharmaceutical Products Export Business Promotion Council will have a major representation from the private sector.

The council will put forward a set of recommendations to the government on how it can further encourage and support the exporters to compete with the global market by maintaining quality of products.

In recent years, investment also significantly increased in the local pharmaceutical sector not only to meet the demand of the Tk 3,000 crore plus local market with a 15 per cent annual growth but also to expand export market.

A total of 141 pharmaceutical companies are now in operation in the country and many others under construction, the study said.

Though 10 to 12 companies are now exporting medicines, but 30 other big pharmaceutical companies have sophisticated production plants with a capacity of meeting international standard like the United States Federal Drug Agency (USFDA).

Entrepreneurs here have specially been encouraged by an export option that will provide special advantage to the least developed countries, including Bangladesh, for substantially increasing their medicine exports from 2006 to 2016 to the WTO-ruled markets. An LDC will not require meeting patent and other obligations to export medicines to other member countries.

Among 49 LDCs, Bangladesh is among the top five having most advanced industries in this sector, observers said.

The bureau recommendations went in line with some demands that have been placed to the government earlier by the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries.

Their demands included establishment of a government-run central testing laboratory for export-oriented pharmaceuticals to enhance reputation of the local pharmaceutical products abroad through dependable quality certification.

The association also demanded establishment of an active pharmaceutical ingredients plant.

[deshpremik]

http://nation.ittefa...cle_14989.shtml

[b]Drug export potentials to be fully tapped[/b]

The horizon of Bangladesh's export trade is steadily widening. A recent addition in the export trade list is medicine. This item is earning around 10 million US dollars per annum. Though the chunk is not big but it is significant in the sense that the item is a prestige one and it has a promising future. Medicine being a high-tech and sensitive industrial product, its acceptance by importing countries is a recognition to Bangladeshi pharmaceutical firms that they have already reached a take-off stage in this export sector, which used to be monopolised by mostly developed nations.

World Trade Organisation (TWO) agreements have created vast opportunities for Bangladeshi medicine producers to substantially increase medicine exports between 2006 and 2016. The market prospects can be realised with local pharmaceutical companies taking a greater interest to upgrade and add to their production capacities. However, government policies coming at the right time can also be of much help for this potential sector. If government's policy supports are extended, not in words but in deeds, then the pharmaceutical sector can soon emerge as a thriving one tapping the vast international market.

It appears that the government is yet to fully see the merit of accepting and working on the proposals that have been made to it by the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI). Its demands need favourable consideration of the government. BAPI's demands included giving cash incentives to the export-oriented pharmaceutical industries in line with similar facilities extended to other export-oriented sectors. As such, our pharmaceutical industries can rightly claim cash incentives. Other demands are for the establishment of a government-operated central testing laboratory for export-oriented pharmaceutical industries. The laboratory can be very useful in strengthening the reputation of local pharmaceutical products abroad through dependable quality certification. The BAPI has called for establishment of an active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) plant. The creation of such a plant will hopefully increase the value-addition of locally-owned pharmaceutical industries. The government needs to respond positively to these and other suggestions to speed up the development of this promising sector. All the potentials are there for the export of medicines from Bangladesh to become a booming business. So the pharmaceutical sector needs to be specially patronised by the government and financial institutions.


© Copyright 2003 by The New Nation

[Maruf]

If government's policy supports are extended, not in words but in deeds, then the pharmaceutical sector can soon emerge as a thriving one tapping the vast international market.

Bangladesh's exportable items are very limited compared to India. The GOB should make no mistake in assessing the huge potential of this pharma sector and try and put in place appropriate growth-friendly policy guidelines so that this sector can flourish and fetch good amount of $$$ for cash hungry Bangladesh.

[deshpremik]

Isn't Pharmaceutical sector is one of the most promising. And also if I am not mistaken govt is thinking about decresing tax of raw materials for medicine.

Also , encouraged by the success of the existing companies , lots of others are already investing in the pharmaceutical sector. Hopefully we will be able to take a big chunk of mone from this sector. Insha Allah

[Maruf]

Yes, local entrepreneurs are investing in a big way in this sector and that has caused a phenomenal growth in Pharma industry. [b]Mark my word[/b], within 2020 Bangladesh will be one of the Pharma giants in the world.