Dhaka: Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL) Managing Director Md. A. Samad Mridha has announced that EDCL has turned into a profitable institution, positioning itself to produce and supply all the medicines that public hospitals distribute free of cost to patients in the near future. "The winds of change have already started blowing in EDCL, which was mired in irregularities, corruption, and mismanagement of the previous government," he stated in an interview with BSS today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Mridha emphasized that EDCL, the only state-owned pharmaceutical manufacturing company, has transitioned from a stagnant institution to one on the path to success. This transformation is attributed to efficient management, a transparent procurement policy, and the adoption of modern technology. "EDCL is becoming an example of good governance. The company has achieved remarkable success in just about a year," he remarked, highlighting efforts such as increasing working hours, reducing overtime costs, offloading inefficient manpower, and boosting production capacity.
Mridha detailed the increase in working hours, noting that EDCL's production machinery now operates for an additional 30 minutes daily. This change has resulted in 1,261 more working hours each day, totaling 310,206 additional hours annually. This increased efficiency has saved approximately Taka 46,530,900 per year, allowing daily work to be completed within scheduled office hours.
Furthermore, changes in management have led to a saving of Taka 41,352,283 on overtime, thanks to the extended working hours and improved time management. Mridha proudly stated, "Previously, work used to be completed at night, now everything is completed on time. Everyone has become more responsible for the work." He also noted that despite reducing 722 additional and inefficient employees, production has increased.
In the fiscal year 2024-25, drug production increased by Taka 59 crore, with a saving of Taka 24 crore on salaries, helping the company overcome its financial crisis and achieve stability. Regarding toll manufacturing savings, Mridha revealed that due to increased production capacity, toll manufacturing has decreased by one-third, saving Taka 30.67 crore in the fiscal year 2024-25.
Mridha also shared updates on EDCL's Gopalganj project, where trial runs for producing birth control pills and edible saline are underway. A machine trial for IV fluid production is in progress, with expectations of enhancing the country's saline supply upon full project operation. Transparency in procurement has been improved, with more bidders now participating in tenders, leading to savings of Taka 26,68,58,997 in the current fiscal year.
On the vaccine project, Mridha said that the construction of EDCL's new vaccine production center in Sirajdikhan Chemical Industrial Park is progressing well, with a launch expected by 2027. This facility will meet domestic vaccine demand and open opportunities for export. Additionally, a modern pharmaceutical factory adhering to FDA guidelines is under construction, promising international-standard drug production.
Improving Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards is also a priority, with a multi-storey building under construction at EDCL's Dhaka factory site. This development is expected to enhance production capacity and reduce annual costs by about Taka 13 crore. Employee motivation and training have been prioritized, resulting in increased productivity and punctuality.
Finally, Mridha noted that efforts to modernize and expand the Dhaka, Khulna, and Bogra projects are underway. Successful completion of these projects will enable EDCL to fully meet government medicine demands.