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Editorial

Tk 300 cr adulterated drugs produced a year

Greater collaboration among all stakeholders needed to combat counterfeit drug trade


Published : 05 Dec 2021 09:05 PM | Updated : 07 Dec 2021 11:36 AM

Contributing to our booming economy in recent years, the pharmaceuticals industry is growing at a sheer pace. For this booming sector, the government has taken a massive initiative to turn it into an export booster to increase foreign revenue income.

However, according to report published in this daily on Sunday, adulterated drugs worth about Tk 300cr are said to be produced annually in the country every year and such illegal clandestine trade is increasing in absence of vigilance.

Bangladesh exports medicines to 157 countries after meeting the demand of the country. However, some licensed and unlicensed companies are making and marketing adulterated drugs for more profit. Various anonymous companies market date-expired adulterated drugs with no production or expiry date printed on the products. Proper implementation of Drugs Act 1940 and National Drug Policy 2018 is essential.

The health 

ministry should examine the actions of the 

relevant 

authorities and put a stop to this deadly trade of phony medicines

The law should be amended and severe punishment should be served so that no one would dare to market such illegal drugs. Apart from playing an important role in the administration, the pharmaceutical industry association should also play a role in this regard.

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For a long period of time, there have been constant reports of such adulterated and fake drugs. However, no strict actions are being taken by the authorities concerned to put a halt to this. The pharmacies of over the country should be also held accountable and enforced to play a far greater role in ending this forgery business. When it comes to pharmacies, they should be able to recognise which ones are fake medicines and henceforth should refuse to sell them. The health ministry should also examine the actions of the relevant authorities and put a stop to this deadly trade of phony medicines.

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