The Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) held a scientific discussion on ‘Global best practices on OTC drug regulations: A way forward for Bangladesh’ in Dhaka city on Sunday.
The discussion mainly centres on the issues and opportunities of Over the Counter (OTC) products in Bangladesh, according to a media statement.
Bangladesh Medical Research Council Chairman Prof Syed Modasser Ali, also former advisor to the Prime Minister, joined the discussion as the chief guest.
He said, “Our drug policies are stronger than the US’s. Currently all of our medicines have become Over-the-Counter products”.
The country has now moved forward in terms of public health, Ali said, adding that he believes that 70 per cent contribution has been made by the media.
He opined that it is not possible to pass this situation over the night. It requires long term planning for this. This problem can be overcome by the proper contact between the doctors and pharmaceuticals.
The former health advisor to the prime minister said only awareness can help the customers to differentiate the prescribed and OTC medicines.
He added that everyone, including from Drug Chemist Association to policy makers and others related to pharmaceutical industry, should work to raise awareness, being complementary to each other.
Ali requested DGDA to form a committee to formulate regulation on OTC drugs in global standard aiming to increase the list of OTC molecules along with proper regulatory system.
At present, there are about 20,000 non-licenced pharmacies in our country. We have taken steps to stop these pharmacies. A case has already been filed against 40 pharmacies, the chief guest said.
Benjamin A Chacko, Manager, Global Regulatory Intelligence and Policy (Americas, India, Africa, and Middle East- GSK), said “OTC products are significantly different from prescriptive products.
“We need right level of health care education for every short course medicines so that the customers can diagnose the effects of OTC products properly.
“To bring strong and well thought out regulatory framework in Bangladesh, it is necessary to use and recognise the data from other markets”.
Major General Md Mustafizur Rahman, Director General of Directorate General of Drug Administration, Md Ruhul Amin, Director of DGDA, Md Salahuddin, Assistant Director of DGDA also attended the discussion.