& çâÌæÚUæð´ ·¤è ¥ôÚU Îð¹Ùæ ÁæÚUè ÚU¹ð´ ¥ÍæüÌ ¥ÂÙð ÜÿØ ÂÚU ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´Ð ãæÚU Ù ×æÙð´, €UØô´ç·¤ ·¤æ× ·¤ÚUÙð âð ¥æÂ·¤ô ©gðàØ ·¤è Âýæç# ãôÌè ãñ ¥õÚU ÁèßÙ ·¤æ ¹æÜèÂÙ ÎêÚU ãôÌæ ãñÐ ÖÜð ãè ÁèßÙ ×ð´ ç·¤ÌÙè Öè ·¤çÆÙæ§ü €UØô´ Ù ¥æ°, çÁ™ææâæ ¥õÚU ©ˆâæã ÕÙæ° ÚU¹ð´Ð ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´, ÜÿØ ã×ðàææ ¥æÂ·Ô¤ Âæâ ãôÌð ãñ´ çÁ‹ãð´ ÂæÙð ·Ô¤ çÜ° ÂýØæâ ¥æÂ ·¤Öè Öè àæéM¤ ·¤ÚU â·¤Ìð ãñ´Ð

Ershad’s discriminating policy still d iscourages foreign investors

Multinational pharmaceuticals suggest 5-point action plan

Star Economic Report
A five-point action programme has been suggested by the multinational pharmaceutical Industries to help overcome troubles and problems, now besetting the units in the sector.
The programme covers areas like registration of new medicines, price control, Import of raw materials, elimination of discriminatory practices, and patent law.
Two out of nine multinational pharmaceutical companies In the country have already closed down operations, according to the related Industrial circles. The same circles said that others ‘arc also contemplating to do so."
Reviewing the current state of affairs In the pharmaceuticals sector, Foreign Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) sources said : 'Supply of drugs from across the border has increased. Modern effective drugs are not available in the country, and
people have to import them illegally. Spurious drugs manufactured from substandcrcd raw materials have flooded the country."
The FICCI has recently sent a representation to the government, pointing out the problems which have seriously affected the operations of multinational pharmaceutical companies and also the quality of medicines and drugs. The pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh has been facing innumerable problems since the beginning of Ershad regime and is in trouble." so the FICCI noted in its representation.
According to the FICCI. there is 'discrimination bc-tween foreign and local companies." Such discrimination "are being permitted, although illegal, and this is discouraging new foreign investment in the counUy. even in other sectors." the FICCI said.
The Chamber has pleaded for allowing manufacturing or
import of any medicine which is approved through certification by three developed countries as ‘safe and effective." "Most of the multinational companies In the pharmaceutical Industry arc research-based ones, it said while noting that registration of new medicines is being delayed In the country for "administrative reasons." The Drug Control Committee, the body responsible for registration of medicine, has not held a meeting since May 1990, though It is normally supposed to meet once a month or so. The Drug Appellate Committee, which is expected to meet as and when required, has not held a meeting In about three years' the FICCI said in its representation.
The multinational pharmaceuticals companies have meanwhile suggested that all price control on drugs and medicines should be immediately withdrawn. All multina-
tional companies In Bangladesh arc cither losing money or arc making unac-ceptably low levels of profits becau.sc their expenditures are substantially more than those of an average national company owing), to their different levels of technology, quality of products (and other expenses, the related circles observed.
Aoioul existing price controls/ for drugs and medicines, the FICCI pointed out that the formilia for regulating prices of medicines "assumes that all companies have same level of expenses, same financing cost, same; standards of Good Manufacturing Practices and they {all use the same level of technology. This Is an irrational assumption, calling for elimination of price controls, the Chamber felt. It noted in its representation to the gov-crilmcnl that there “is enough conipVlilion in the market place for medicines to ensure
that no company will survive by charging unrealistically high prices for their medicines."
The existing operational multinationals in the pharmaceutical sector also want the withdrawal of all controls in the Import of raw materials. ■Pharmaceutical industry is the only industry In Bangladesh which is required to take approval from a Block List Approval Committee for import of raw and packaging materials. Permission Is required In respect of prices and sources of materials. Even quantities, to be imported, have to be Justified," the related circles pointed out.
The FICCI termed the existing Import controls for raw materials as "unwarranted" in a free economy to which the government is committed. "We do not know of any country where such restrictive policies arc in axlstancc," it noted.
The Chamber stressed that any manufacturer, whether lo-
cal or foreign, should be allowed to manufacture any product "which Is allowed to be manufactured or imported in the country."
In its representation I the government, the FICCI ob served, "the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection - Act (1980), the Industrial Policy, 1991 and the bilateral treaties between the government of Bangladesh and those of the UK. Germany & the USA stipulate that there will be no discrimination be tween foreign and national companies". Despite the strong and repeated commit ments. multinational compa nles In the pharmaceutical In dustry in Bangladesh arc, ac cording to the Chamber, being "discriminated against."
About-patent law. the FICCI observed that the existing patent laws In Bangladesh should Immediately be "strengthened", in order to demonstrate that the country
Is 'a responsible member of the world community.' In 1980s, most countries of the world have rewritten their laws covering intellectual properties with a view to encouraging Inventions in their own countries and also to attracting foreign Investors who give, priority to protection of fruits of their own research, the Chamber body said while noting that research-based companies tend to Invest In such countries where Patent, Design, Trade Mark laws etc are in conformity ■ with the needs of time.
According to the FICCI, Patents and Designs Act, 1911 Is still followed in Bangladesh. The other laws, protecting intellectual property, arc also old and outdated. It said In its representation while pointing out that all laws, covering Intellectual properties, were rewritten In Bangladesh In 1980 but this same have still remained tn draft form.
A committee was formed by the government in 1980 to examine the draft intellectual property laws. A few meetings were held but no meeting of the Committee has been held since December, 1990, the FICCI pointed out.