295 medicines declared ‘essential’ as government moves to fix prices nationwide

Vendors will be required to sell essential medicines at government-set prices to ensure access to treatment and drugs for the public

The Bangladesh government has expanded its list of essential medicines to 295 by adding 135 more drugs and has decided to fix their selling prices, aiming to improve access to treatment and medicines for the public.

The decision came at a meeting of the Advisory Council on Thursday, said Md Sayedur Rahman, special assistant on health affairs to the chief advisor.

He said traders would be required to sell these medicines at prices set by the government in the interest of public healthcare and access to medicines. However, they will get time for gradual implementation.

On Thursday afternoon, Sayedur said an essential medicines list was prepared. Requests were made at the Advisory Council meeting to include one or two more drugs, which could raise the number to 295 or 296.

The key aspect of the decision, he said, is that all medicines included in the list will have their prices fixed by the government.

Explaining how prices would be regulated, Sayedur said all listed essential medicines would be sold at government-set prices.

On the phased adjustment, he said a four-year timeframe would be provided for full compliance. Prices would be reduced step by step each year so that, within four years, all essential medicines are sold at the government-set prices.

Sayedur also outlined the expected benefits of the move. He said essential medicines, by definition, are sufficient to treat around 80 percent of common diseases affecting the population.