When I first entered the University of Dhaka to study pharmacy, I never imagined the transformation that sector would run to. Founded in 1964, the pharmacy department has produced graduates who now excel in leading pharmaceutical companies, regulatory agencies, research centres and universities across the world.
As a professor and dean, I take pride in teaching hundreds of students, many of whom pursued advanced studies abroad while others stayed to build the domestic pharmaceutical industry into a global force. Today, thousands work across production, research and development, quality and marketing, driving innovation and national progress.
I have witnessed a profound global shift. For decades, medicines were largely based on small molecules, laboratory-synthesised chemicals. Bangladesh has mastered this domain, becoming self-sufficient in generics and ensuring affordable access both locally and globally.
But the 21st century ushered in a revolution: biologics. These complex medicines, derived from living cells such as proteins, monoclonal antibodies and vaccines have transformed the treatment of cancer, autoimmune disorders, and infectious diseases. While small molecules remain important, biologics are undeniably the future of medicine.
Since 2007, Bangladesh has made remarkable strides in this frontier. What began with a handful of products has expanded into a wide range of locally manufactured therapies. Today, local companies produce insulin for diabetes, erythropoietin for anemia, monoclonal antibodies for cancer and autoimmune diseases and vaccines against rabies, typhoid, influenza, hepatitis B, cholera and cervical cancer. Once imported at prohibitive costs, these medicines are now available locally at some of the lowest prices.
Even more significantly, several firms are now fully vertically integrated 鈥� developing medicines from cell lines through fermentation, purification and fill-finish production. This represents biotechnology at global standards, achieved here.
Some Bangladeshi pharmaceutical companies now operate at a level comparable to the world鈥檚 best. They collaborate with leading international pharmaceutical giants, top-ranked academic institutions and research organisations on technology development, technology acquisition and transfer, manufacturing, research and development, commercialisation and post-marketing surveillance. A few pioneering firms have also taken the lead in groundbreaking research with reputed global consortiums, including platform development for yeast- and mRNA-based technologies to address emergency healthcare needs and ensure access to affordable generics and biologics.
The Covid outbreak highlighted this capacity. It was remarkable to witness how industries rose to the challenge, rapidly developing, producing and delivering essential vaccines and medicines. Beyond finished formulations, Bangladesh has also advanced in producing active pharmaceutical ingredients, conducting both pre-clinical and clinical trials and manufacturing vaccines 鈥� not only to meet domestic demand but also to generate export revenue.
The impact on patients is profound. Drugs that once cost tens of thousands of dollars abroad are now accessible for a fraction of the price. For families struggling with chronic illness, this difference is not merely financial. It is also a difference between despair and hope.
Pharmaceutical revolution in Bangladesh has been driven by people 鈥� brilliant minds trained at home. I have watched them grow from eager learners into scientists leading production plants, researchers designing innovative therapies, and professionals ensuring the safety and quality of every medicine reaching patients.
Many have built careers abroad, creating bridges of expertise between Bangladesh and the global community. Others stayed back, pioneering biotech manufacturing and developing world-class vaccines. From achieving self-sufficiency in generics to mastering complex biologics, the industry has travelled an extraordinary path. From self-sufficiency in generics to cutting-edge biologics, the pharmaceutical industry has come a long way. The world increasingly recognises our ability not only to manufacture essential medicines but also to master complex biologics and vaccines.
With the right policies, continued investment and a strong talent pipeline from our universities, Bangladesh has every possibility of becoming the global hub of affordable medicine. This is not a dream. It is already taking shape. As a teacher, nothing is more rewarding than seeing former students lead this transformation. I feel proud of our companies rivalling the best in the world, satisfaction in affordable access to life-saving drugs and hope that our students will keep driving innovation. A new chapter in health care has begun and Bangladesh is ready to lead.
听
Professor Dr Md Selim Reza is acing dean of the pharmacy faculty in the University of Dhaka.
