Local pharmaceutical manufacturers have set an example by producing life-saving medicines, Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Hossain Bokul said.
“Without the support of this sector, it is not possible to effectively run healthcare services,” he said while inaugurating the 17th Asia Pharma Expo 2026 and Asia Lab Expo 2026 on Sunday at Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre in Rupganj.
The three-day exhibition, organised by the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI), will run until Tuesday, bringing together more than 400 companies from over 20 countries, the organisers said.
The minister described the sector as a humanitarian industry and said steps would be taken to address its challenges through consultations with stakeholders.
Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries President and Incepta Pharmaceuticals Chairman and Managing Director Abdul Muktadir said the industry could expand further with policy support.
“With proper policy support from the government, Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical industry will become even stronger and more prosperous,” he said.
He added that Bangladesh has remained largely unaffected despite global fuel-driven increases in medicine prices in countries including the United States.
Health Services Division Secretary Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury said events such as the expo facilitate knowledge sharing and assured continued government support for the sector’s development.
The inauguration was attended by Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries Secretary General and Delta Pharma Managing Director Dr Md Zakir Hossain, Export Promotion Bureau Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Mohammad Hasan Arif, Directorate General of Drug Administration Director General Major General Md Shamim Haider and GPE Expo Chief Executive Paresh Jhurmarvala.
Held annually since 2003, Asia Pharma Expo and Asia Lab Expo serve as a platform for sourcing, networking and technology exchange in the pharmaceutical sector.
