Professor Syedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has announced that the government will soon launch pharmacies at every public hospital across the country.
This initiative aims to provide high-quality medicines at affordable prices, making them accessible to all, according to the Ministry of Health.
Professor Rahman explained that 250 commonly used medicines will be available for one-third of their usual price, with the highest quality guaranteed.
He further stated that although government hospitals already offer lab services and primary healthcare, there has been no pharmaceutical service. This new arrangement will be implemented in all public hospitals and clinics.
The high cost of medicines and the overwhelming pressure on the healthcare system have made it difficult for many patients to afford treatment, causing financial hardship. The new pharmacy system is seen as a significant step in addressing this issue.
Professor Rahman highlighted that the government's initiative will greatly benefit the public. The objective is to reduce medicine costs and make healthcare more accessible. Once operational, the government pharmacies will be able to treat 85% of patients, which is expected to revolutionize the healthcare sector.
However, he also acknowledged the challenge of preventing medicine theft for the effective operation of these pharmacies. To counter this, a digital management system will be implemented.
Dr Rahman added that the government's pharmaceutical company, EDCL, currently purchases medicines worth around 13 billion taka annually. Moving forward, the government will increase its budget for medicine procurement and enhance its production capacity to ensure a timely supply of necessary medicines.
