Bangladesh begins export of anti-cancer drugs
Monday, 13 August 2012
Raihan M Chowdhury
Bangladesh has begun exporting anti-cancer drugs for the first time.
"We are extremely happy that our country has finally been able to export anti-cancer drugs and it is a mark of national pride also," Mohammad Ebadul Karim, managing director of Beacon Pharmaceuticals Ltd told The Financial Express Sunday.
Beacon Pharmaceuticals sent off the first consignment of two anti-cancer items--Xelpac and Gemoxen-very recently to Uzbekistan, Mr Ebadul Karim said.
Bangladesh exports drugs to as many as 64 countries but none of the drug items were from anti-cancer generic.
"So it is a very encouraging news for the country and our patients will be benefitted to a large extent with the latest development," Mr Karim said.
He said Beacon Pharma has already been able to stop exodus of a significant amount of money which patients usually spend in buying foreign-manufactured anti-cancer drugs.
The company, a listed issue of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) produces anti-cancer drugs at affordable prices.
Bangladesh has an estimated 0.5 million cancer patients.
He said the company eyes Philippines as the next export destination as the registration process has been completed.
"Five more countries--Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Hong Kong and Ghana-will be included in our export destinations within this year (2012)," Mr Karim added.
The company targets 17 new destinations to export its products by 2013.
Beacon, country's first anti-cancer drug manufacturer began commercial operation in 2006 at Bhaluka of Mymensingh.
Beacon Pharma got listed on the DSE in 2010 with 231,000,000 shares in the stock market.
Bangladesh has begun exporting anti-cancer drugs for the first time.
"We are extremely happy that our country has finally been able to export anti-cancer drugs and it is a mark of national pride also," Mohammad Ebadul Karim, managing director of Beacon Pharmaceuticals Ltd told The Financial Express Sunday.
Beacon Pharmaceuticals sent off the first consignment of two anti-cancer items--Xelpac and Gemoxen-very recently to Uzbekistan, Mr Ebadul Karim said.
Bangladesh exports drugs to as many as 64 countries but none of the drug items were from anti-cancer generic.
"So it is a very encouraging news for the country and our patients will be benefitted to a large extent with the latest development," Mr Karim said.
He said Beacon Pharma has already been able to stop exodus of a significant amount of money which patients usually spend in buying foreign-manufactured anti-cancer drugs.
The company, a listed issue of Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) produces anti-cancer drugs at affordable prices.
Bangladesh has an estimated 0.5 million cancer patients.
He said the company eyes Philippines as the next export destination as the registration process has been completed.
"Five more countries--Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Hong Kong and Ghana-will be included in our export destinations within this year (2012)," Mr Karim added.
The company targets 17 new destinations to export its products by 2013.
Beacon, country's first anti-cancer drug manufacturer began commercial operation in 2006 at Bhaluka of Mymensingh.
Beacon Pharma got listed on the DSE in 2010 with 231,000,000 shares in the stock market.