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Experts suggest regular review of Drug Policy

By Chapai Bashar
Internationa) experts have suggested a regular review of the National Drug Policy (NDP) for its effective implementation.
The experts, who praised the success of the 10-year-old NDP of Bangladesh, also identified its shortcomings, that according to them, should be removed to make the policy dynamic.
They said that the Drug Administration's ability should be upgraded and that it should work effectively for proper execution of the policy introduced in June 1982.
Andrew Chetley, a Canadian-born research and development consultant and K. Balasubramaniam, a pharmaceutical adviser from Shri Lanka were In the city last week to attend a workshop on the Drug Policy organised by the Consumers' Association of Bangladesh (CAB).
Both the experts represent International Organisation of Consumers Unions (IOCU), a federation of consumer organisations dedicated to the protection and promotion of con sumers' Interests worldwide through research, information and education.
In an interview with The Daily Star, the experts gave their impressions on Bangladesh's Drug Policy and made some recommendations for its Improvement.
When asked how he looked at the NDP, Chetley said : The NDP has achieved some of its basic objectives and stood the test of time. Bangladesh was the pioneer in introducing a drug policy which has been proved good for the people, the country and for the business."
Chetley has been studying the Bangladesh Drug Policy
since its introduction and observing its implementation process. He has visited Bangladesh six times so far for the purpose.
Chetley informed that the NDP had created a positive impact on other countries and that the Philippines. Nigeria and many other developing countries were looking forward to formulating similar policies.
Chetley believed that the NDP had achieved Its main objectives which were to increase availability of and accessibility to good quality essential drugs.
"The NDP encouraged to production of more medicines locally and there is less dependence on imported drugs," he added.
Balasubramaniam, who agreed with Chetley, mentioned the curb on the multinational companies' dominating the local drug market and said : "This was due to the drug policy."
On the shortcomings tn the Bangladesh Drug Policy. Chetley said : "The major shortcoming is that the policy has not been properly Implemented. What I have heard in Bangladesh, is not the criticism of the policy, rather the criticism is about the way of Implementations.”
Chetley pointed out some inabilities in the government Drug Administration which, he said, "hinders the implementation process."
He mentioned that the Drug Administration took too long to 'vgf’Tr new drugs and also mucn t i. e to de- He on what raw matei lais weuid be allowed to be used to produce medicines.
It also took too much time to decide on changing prices of medicinal products and other related matters, the expert added.
Chetley specifically mentioned Inadequate facilities for drug testing and pointed out that the existing system to test the drugs in the market was not random enough'.
Adequate facilities to test drugs were essential to maintain the quality of medicines, he emphasised.
Chetley said that the Drug Administration should work effectively to remove all the shortcomings and recommended a number of actions for the purpose.
Chetley suggested a regular review of the Drug Policy and the list of essential drugs to keep pace with pharmacological developments.
He also suggested the upgrading of the Drug Administration's ability to process applications for drug registration and to increase In-spebtfons of production systems.
Chetley also recommended improving the facilities and capabilities of the drug te sting laboratories. He stresred on ensuring that the committees, part of the drug regulatory system, had technically competent members, adequate servicing and met regularly.
Both Chetl-y and Balasubramaniam s> id that the NDP did not put enough focus on traditional medicines like Ayurvedic. Un^ni and Homeopathic medicines and suggested regulations in this regard.
Replying to a question, t th the experts said that the” « re not against multinationals
"Multinationals have c ntti button In developing some e -sentlal drugs. 1 don't rind their making business ana rc a-sonable profit, but they should not push drugs, they s tula come forward to promottne health," said Chetley.
"I expect corporate respon sibiltty from multination'’'« ’ concluded Balasubramaniam