'Out-of-pocket healthcare expenses remain a burden'
Achieving Universal Health Coverage in Bangladesh continues to be hindered by the significant burden of out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, particularly for medicines, said speakers at a programme at CIRDAP Auditorium yesterday in the capital.
Unethical marketing strategies from pharmaceutical companies and inefficient system of government bodies are key factors in driving up prices, said speakers, emphasising that while cost-effective solutions are necessary, they must not come at the expense of quality.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The event, titled "Holistic Strategy to Ensure Affordable Medicine Supply Chains Towards Realizing Universal Health Coverage", was organised by Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) in partnership with the UHC Forum and supported by UNICEF.
The discussion underscored the need for a robust regulatory frameworks, ethical pricing mechanisms, and strengthened supply chains to ensure equitable access to essential medicines.
Strengthening regulatory oversight, ensuring compliance with international standards, and addressing manpower shortages within Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) were highlighted as urgent priorities.
Speakers also called for an updated essential drug list, improved storage facilities, and digital tracking systems to enhance supply chain efficiency.
PPRC Executive Director Hossain Zillur Rahman stressed the importance of a better understanding of the cost drivers of medicine prices, and where regulatory and supply chain deficits lie including the role and efficiency of Essential Drug Company Limited, Central Medical Stores Depot, and DGDA.
He added that expanding the essential drug list, ensuring regulatory oversight on pricing, fostering an efficient and competitive pharmaceutical industry, and addressing prescription practices should be priority actions in reform efforts.
Medical Education and Family Welfare Division Additional Secretary Md Abdus Salam Khan said the DGDA's responsibilities include monitoring drug pricing. This is not actively functioning due to a lack of human resources.
He added that the lack of monitoring has also led to expired drugs being sold in the market.
Prothom Alo journalist Shishir Morol said that if money spent on promotional activities were reduced and the government controlled the price of essential drugs, it would lower drug prices and benefit people.
Professor Dr Liaquat Ali, member of Health Sector Reform Commission; Dr C Soloman of UNICEF; Md Abdus Salam Khan, additional secretary at Medical Education and Family Welfare Division; Ashraf Hossain, director (Admin) of DGDA, among others spoke at the event.
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