Frequently it is said health is the root of all happiness. Good health is one of the greatest blessings from the Creator. To maintain good health, awareness, doctors, and medicine are essential.
The encouraging news is that Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry has become a promising sector. According to statistics, nearly 24,000 branded medicines are produced in over 250 factories across the country. Domestic companies produce approximately BDT 25,000 crore worth of medicines and raw materials annually.
This not only provides employment to around 200,000 people but also meets nearly 98% of the country's demand for medicines. Furthermore, Bangladesh now exports medicines to over 150 countries, including the United States, earning significant foreign exchange.
However, amid all these achievements lies a troubling issue—the domestic medicine market continues to face chaos, particularly due to the rampant presence of fake and counterfeit medicines. This poses a serious threat to the healthcare system and the pharmaceutical industry itself, including reputable drug manufacturers.
According to data, fake and counterfeit medicines account for over BDT 1,500 crore in annual sales in the local market. A recent report by The Daily Ittefaq stated that around 40% of medicines in the market are either fake or counterfeit.
Despite Bangladesh's growing reputation in the global pharmaceutical market, the local scene remains plagued by severe irregularities and corruption. These fraudulent practices are putting public health at serious risk, with increasing reports of adverse health effects and even deaths due to fake medicines.
Financial losses, mental distress, and unnecessary suffering for consumers are also rising. Instead of recovery, patients unknowingly fall into prolonged illness. For the sick, fake medicine can truly be called a “death trap.”
The widespread availability of counterfeit medicine is a major problem in Bangladesh and many other developing countries. The situation is worsening due to the actions of dishonest manufacturers and sellers, weak oversight from the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA), and lack of proper law enforcement.
Expired medicines are often repackaged and sold with misleading information. While mobile courts occasionally conduct drives, their actions are often limited to small fines. The problem is even more severe in rural areas, where regulatory oversight is weaker.
Counterfeit versions of imported medicines, including insulin, are now being found. Many such fake medicines contain harmful dyes, powders, and substandard raw materials, posing serious health risks.
For example, fake antibiotics can cause the body to build resistance, potentially leading to future health crises. Counterfeit medicines for life-threatening diseases like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes are playing with patients’ lives. Pregnant women and children are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of these fake drugs.
Therefore, ensuring the safety, effectiveness, and quality of medicines is critically important to protect public health. To eliminate the threat of fake and counterfeit drugs, the DGDA must be strengthened first. This includes solving its staffing shortages and hiring sufficient skilled personnel.
Lab testing facilities must be expanded to enable regular quality checks of all medicines. Strict legal action must be taken against those involved in the manufacture and sale of fake medicines, with exemplary punishment ensured.
At the same time, public awareness campaigns should be launched about the dangers of fake medicines. Doctors must also remain vigilant when prescribing medications and advise patients to purchase medicines only from certified and trustworthy sources.
In summary, only a combined effort by the government, stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry, and the general public can free us from this growing crisis of counterfeit medicine.
