The discussion highlighted the significant growth of Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry since 1994, supported in part by the LDC patent waiver, while emphasizing the need for the sector to transition toward greater research and innovation. Key government priorities include achieving WHO Maturity Level 3, reducing dependence on imported active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and strengthening collaboration between industry and academia. The regulatory authority’s role in facilitating innovation in medicines, vaccines, and medical devices was also emphasized, alongside ongoing efforts toward digitalization. Examples of locally developed, affordable health innovations including Bubble CPAP, ORS, calcium supplements and Microbiota-Directed Food demonstrated Bangladesh’s potential to develop solutions tailored to local needs, supported by greater sharing of laboratory resources. The discussion concluded with a broader vision for national healthcare focused on primary care, prevention, expanding the health workforce, and ensuring that research and innovation are effectively translated into healthcare service delivery.

1. M Mosaddek Hossain: Research is the missing element in the pharma sector; BCSIR is well funded but underperforming; upcoming patent regime after LDC graduation.
2. Dr SM Ziauddin Hyder: Bangladesh imports over 85% of its Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) - heavy over-dependence on external markets.
3. Dr. Tahmeed Ahmed: Sophisticated lab equipment is too expensive even for institutions like ICDDR,B; high-quality calcium is unaffordable/inaccessible for rural populations.
4. Dr. Zubaida Rahman (Chief Guest): Patients travel long distances for specialist care; tertiary healthcare is very expensive; weak connection between research, validation, regulation, and delivery.

1. Establish public-private partnerships to make BCSIR more functional, productive, and accessible to industry and researchers.
2. Strengthen industry–academia collaboration to develop local API production and expand research and development capacity.
3. Continue digitizing DGDA services and create a supportive regulatory environment for emerging medical technologies, including innovations such as robotic surgery.
4. Promote low-cost, locally sourced health solutions, such as calcium derived from oyster shells, and scale proven innovations through cottage and small industries.
5. Develop equipment-sharing partnerships between research institutions to improve access to laboratory facilities and support specialized training through international collaborations.
6. Strengthen primary healthcare and expand the health workforce by recruiting around 100,000 health workers, with particular emphasis on increasing women’s participation.
7. Establish a nationally coordinated blood and plasma transportation and referral system to improve timely access to essential healthcare services.
8. Increase public health expenditure toward 5% of GDP to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, services, and workforce capacity.

1. Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical policy reform began in 1994, and approximately 98% of the country’s local pharmaceutical demand is currently met domestically.
2. Bangladesh is currently at WHO Maturity Level 2, with the goal of reaching Level 3. More than 85% of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) are still imported.
3. Bangladesh’s population is approximately 180 million.
4. The WHO recommends a daily intake of 1,500 mg of calcium for pregnant women.
5. Results from a cancer-cachexia clinical trial are expected within 6–8 months.
6. Microbiota-Directed Food was recognized among TIME’s Best Inventions of 2025.
7. There is a national target to reach more than 90,000 villages through healthcare services.
8. Plans include recruiting 100,000 health workers and increasing public health expenditure to 5% of GDP.

1. Pursue public-private partnerships to reactivate and strengthen BCSIR’s research capacity.
2. Continue government–industry collaboration toward achieving WHO Maturity Level 3 and strengthening local API production and R&D capacity.
3. Implement the ICDDR,BCSIR (Science Lab) collaboration, including Harvard University-led training for scientists from both institutions.
4. Advance the national vision of expanding primary healthcare, increasing the health workforce, and developing effective referral and blood/plasma transportation systems.