ECHEMI International Trade Business School Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Summary

5.26, 9:00 GMT Mr. Mazaharul Islam of ECHEMI's Pharmaceutical Division gave a live insight of the pharmaceutical industry and market in Bangladesh, and answer questions from the audience!

The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most developed technology sectors in Bangladesh. There are about 284 licensed pharmaceutical manufacturers in Bangladesh, of which about 213 are actually engaged in pharmaceuticals.

As an emerging generic drug centre in Asia, Bangladesh is self-sufficient in finished drugs. The leading companies in the country have almost all major GMP certifications such as USFDA, UK MHRA, EU GMP, Health Canada, TGAAustralia, ANVISA Brazil, GCC etc.

The entire Bangladesh pharmaceutical industry continues its strong research orientation in generic drug development, with industry benchmark companies focusing on specialised dose delivery systems.

The pharmaceutical market in Bangladesh is currently growing steadily every year, with the top 10 companies holding 70% of the domestic market share. The top 20 leading companies are as follows:

Gastrointestinal T. & Metabolic holds the first market share from an indication perspective with 36.51%

The top 20 generics, which account for 52.35% of the market share of the pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh are as follows:

Official data says Bangladesh's pharmaceutical exports grew by more than US$100 million in the first half of the fiscal year ending December 2021. It is expected to produce US$18,000 million of medicines in the fiscal year 2021-22. In the first six months of this target setting, Bangladeshi exporters have achieved 71% of the target.

Bangladesh's API market size was estimated at approximately US$730 million in 2017 and is expected to reach approximately US$1,409 million by 2025. Currently Bangladesh is still dependent on imports of APIs and 40% of its imports come from China.

Bangladesh has shown a great competitive advantage in the pharmaceutical industry, relying on huge cost advantages, the lowest drug prices in the world, and TRIPS extended patent exemption privileges.