Dhaka: Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL), the state-owned pharmaceutical manufacturer, has announced a price reduction on 33 essential medicines. This strategic move is anticipated to save the government approximately Tk 116 crore.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, EDCL Managing Director Md A Samad Mridha shared this update during a press conference at the company's headquarters. Mridha highlighted that the decision to reduce prices coincided with the formation of the interim government and aligns with the company's significant achievements over the past six months. The reduced-price medicines cover a range of pharmaceutical items, including tablets, capsules, oral saline, and injections.
Mridha emphasized that several reform initiatives have been implemented to enhance production and profitability. These initiatives include dismantling syndicates, combating corruption, and terminating around 700 unnecessary employees. As a result of these efforts, production has increased by an estimated Tk 59 crore. Additionally, by opening tenders for raw material procurement, EDCL is now saving approximately Tk 18 crore per month.
Further plans were announced for the establishment of two new plants under EDCL, one of which will be a biotechnology facility dedicated to vaccine production, including insulin and other biological products. The company aims to increase its contribution to government medicine demand from the current 70 percent to 90 percent through expanded in-house manufacturing.
In his written statement, Mridha reiterated EDCL's core objective to ensure an uninterrupted supply of quality essential medicines to public hospitals across the country, thus safeguarding public health. He stressed that the real benefit lies not in making a profit but in helping individuals recover and maintain their health. Consequently, the company has shifted its focus away from producing non-essential medicines and has also reduced employee overtime.