Bangladesh Bank has barred banks from opening letters of credit (LC) for importing dietary and related supplements without prior approval from the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA), tightening regulatory control on the sector.
The instruction, issued on Wednesday through a circular, asked all scheduled banks to ensure compliance with the requirement before processing import transactions.
The central bank forwarded a communication from the DGDA, reinforcing that such imports must meet regulatory conditions under the law.
Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 2023, the production, import, export, sale and distribution of dietary supplements, herbal supplements, nutritional supplements, medical nutrition and therapeutic nutrition products require mandatory registration or prior approval from DGDA.
The regulator said some traders had been importing these products without obtaining the required approvals, creating compliance gaps.
Customs authorities refused to clear such consignments without DGDA registration or prior permission, prompting importers to file separate writ petitions with the High Court Division.
“In those writ cases, the court directed customs authorities to release the goods,” DGDA said in its communication.
Customs authorities later filed appeals with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court against those orders.
The Appellate Division subsequently directed that the goods be released subject to compliance with legal provisions, DGDA added.
