Experts have warned that Bangladesh's dependence on imports of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) may strain foreign currency reserves and push medicine prices higher after the country's LDC graduation.

At an event titled "Policy and Implementation Strategies for the Development of the API Industry" held today (12 November) at Bangladesh Medical University's Super Specialised Hospital, specialists urged policy support to remove barriers and expand local API production. 

Dr Syed Abdul Hamid, professor at DU's Institute of Health Economics and convener of the Alliance for Health Reforms, Bangladesh (AHRB), said increasing local API production would stabilise the medicine supply, reduce costs, and keep prices affordable.

He urged the government to provide refinancing, low-interest loans, and up to 20% incentives, along with research and compliance grants to boost investment and innovation in the API sector.

Dr Md Zakir Hossain, general secretary of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI), stressed that advancing the API sector requires practical policy support, not just committee formation.

He said Bangladesh still relies on API imports from China and India, adding that the industry cannot survive without government support.

He said that despite paying for land in API Park, there has been no return; plots allocated in 2018 will get electricity only by 2025, and infrastructure support remains uncertain. 

He also criticised the lack of stakeholder representation in committees and mentioned administrative hurdles: plot transfers, exchanges, and narcotics approvals.

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