Achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Bangladesh remains hindered by the significant burden of out-of-pocket (OOP) healthcare expenses, particularly for medicines. This pressing issue was the focus of the expert debate held on 13 February 2025, which brought together key stakeholders from the pharmaceutical industry, regulatory bodies, public health experts, and policymakers to collectively explore reform strategies. The debate, titled, “Holistic Strategy to Ensure Affordable Medicine Supply Chains Towards Realizing UHC” was jointly organized by Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC), in partnership with the health advocacy platform UHC Forum, and supported by UNICEF.
Chaired and moderated by PPRC Chairman and UHC Forum Convener Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, the debate identified critical gaps in procurement systems, regulatory enforcement, pricing structures and supply chain governance that must be addressed to ensure fair and reliable access to life-saving medicines. While Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry currently fulfils 98 percent of domestic demand and exports to over 70 countries, experts noted that affordability remains a persistent challenge. They pointed to unregulated pricing, excessive promotional expenditures and the absence of a structured pricing framework as key issues impeding equitable access to medicine.
Stakeholders called for a stronger focus on transparent pricing mechanisms, ethical marketing practices and digitally tracked supply chains to curb exploitative costs and enhance accountability. They also raised concerns over the aggressive promotion of pharmaceutical products, where marketing budgets are prioritised over reducing production costs for the benefit of consumers. Consensus emerged on the need for a holistic and integrated approach that enhances regulatory oversight, enforces fair pricing, ensures medicine quality, and fosters responsible behaviour from both public and private sector actors.
Participants in the debate included:
- Professor Dr Liaquat Ali, Health Sector Reform Commission
- Dr C Soloman, UNICEF
- Md Abdus Salam Khan, Additional Secretary, MEFW
- Ashraf Hossain, Director (Admin), DGDA
- Md Zahid Alam, Incepta
- Md Abu Shah Jamal Molla, MSH
- Khairul Anam, UNICEF
- Dr Touhid Anwar, CMSD
- Shishir Morol, Prothom Alo
- Brig. Gen. Mahbubur Rahman Bhuiyan, Supply Chain Consultant, National Heart Foundation
- Shaikat Kumar, Deputy Director, DGDA
- Fida Mehran, UNICEF
- Dr Mohibullah
In his concluding remarks, Dr Zillur Rahman emphasised the importance of gaining a deeper understanding of the cost drivers behind medicine prices and identifying regulatory and supply chain bottlenecks, including the operational capacities of EDCL, CMSD and DGDA. He stressed that expanding the essential drug list, improving pricing oversight and fostering a competitive and efficient pharmaceutical industry must become central to the reform agenda. Additionally, he called for greater attention to prescription practices and patient literacy as part of a people-centred approach to healthcare.
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