B’desh mulls biosimilar pharma JVs with Sri Lanka

For the first time, a government-togovernment level cooperation effort is emerging to strengthen the supply of a crucial class of medicines in the $450 million Lankan pharma market.

Bangladeshi pharma sector, which manufactures no less than 450 generic drugs for 5,300 registered brands, is now ready to partner with Sri Lanka to produce vital medicines used by seriously ill patients. “Our local pharmaceutical manufacturers cater to 97 percent of the internal demand and they also export. We are ready to support Sri Lanka to produce biosimilar pharmaceuticals such as insulin and finalise them to finish product levels with a guaranteed cold chain. We are ready for government-to-government level JVs to begin with,” said MN Neaz Uddin, Health Secretary of Bangladesh, addressing Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen at EDB premises in Colombo.

Bangladeshi Health Secretary Uddin is in Colombo leading a 10-member strong Bangladeshi health sector delegation to the country.

All top ten pharma manufacturers are of Bangladeshi origin without being multinationals, indicating a strong domestic manufacturing base. When it comes to Bangladeshi pharma exports, Beximo Pharmaceuticals is the leader taking for 19 percent of its $ 70 million pharma exports (in 2012). Bangladesh domestic pharma market alone is estimated to be around $ 1.25 billion.

“Our local pharmaceutical manufacturers cater to 97 percent of the internal demand and they also export.