The pharmaceutical industry of Bangladesh is one of the most technologically advanced sectors in the country, contributing significantly to domestic healthcare and exports. Despite its strengths, the industry faces technological limitations, particularly in producing active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and investing in research and development (R&D). Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical sector also benefits from a Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver, which allows it to produce generic versions of patented drugs. However, with Bangladesh’s imminent graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026, the industry is at a critical juncture where it must enhance its technological capabilities to stay competitive in the global market. This paper explores Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry’s preparedness to overcome these challenges. A survey conducted as part of this study found that most APIs are still imported into Bangladesh, and investment in R&D is very low. This paper recommends that pharmaceutical firms develop their R&D capabilities, and that the government emphasise its investment in building the API park.
Authors: Fahmida Khatun, Syed Yusuf Saadat, Anika Ferdous Richi, and Anisha Ushrat Aurchi
Publication Period: December 2024