Call to foster tech transfer, JV urged as govt reviews drug policy

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A Z M Anas and Shamsul Huda
The government is reviewing the drug policy aiming to regulate the traditional medicines sector and help boost pharmaceuticals exports, a top official said.
Director General at the state-backed Bangladesh Drug Administration Jahangir Hossain Mollik told the FE Sunday health policymakers will take stock of the current drug policy to ensure price parity of herbal medicines by bringing the "now-unregulated" sector within the ambit of regulatory framework.
"A 10-member committee is working on the policy. We hope to complete the review by the end of this year," the administration boss said.
Mr Mollik said the latest policy review took place in 2005 and the new one would place emphasis on GMP (good manufacturing practice) of herbal drugs.
He said a draft is already at the final stage and after its finalisation from the government side it will be discussed with the health experts, stakeholders and policymakers before going for final approval.
Industry analysts say the new policy should be "more liberal" to promote foreign investment and joint-venture as the patent regulations are set to expire by 2016.
"In the latest drug policy the government has kept no option for technology transfer for the companies which do not have factories in Bangladesh," said Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) First Vice President Dr Momenul Haq.
The current policy lacks clear guidelines for technology transfer and joint venture investment, he said, adding that the transitional period under TRIPS agreement that Bangladesh is enjoying now would expire in the year 2016.
He said it is essential for Bangladesh to bring changes in the policy to facilitate technology transfer by the companies, which do not have factories.
He said there should be guidelines for going abroad to gain knowledge in the drug manufacturing process.
A top industry expert Iftekharul Islam said the drug policy should be liberalised to meet the emerging needs of the day and inject fresh life into the local industry.
Mr Islam, a former managing director of Sanofi Aventis, said the local pharma industry would require more investment in technology during the post-expiry period of patent regulation to make their products competitive in the international and domestic markets.
Last year, the country's domestic drug market grew by 24 per cent to reach $1.13 billion as it serves nearly160 million consumers.
Bangladesh hauled in around US$50 million in 2012 financial year by shipping out drugs to nearly 100 countries, according to data by the Export Promotion Bureau.
He said as millions of dollars are being invested in this sector, it is necessary to help it flourish further by adopting cutting-edge technology and the drug policy should incorporate provisions for welcoming foreign direct investment (FDI) and joint venture.
He also said the new review should have the provision of incentives for manufacturers to produce essential drugs, which are now overlooked by drug makers.
Mr Islam said imports should be relaxed in case of drugs such as cancer, rabies vaccine and insulin, because bioequivalence and quality of locally manufactured generics is not "up to the mark".
"We've always doubt whether these local products will work properly or not," he added.
He said the government allows imports of potato chips, biscuit and bread but has imposed ban on bringing in life saving drugs in the current policy.