Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL). a state owned pharmaceutical com pany. has earned a pre lax profit of Taka 5.42 crore during the last financial year registering an increase of pre-tax profit of 27 per cent over the previous year, reports BSS

EDCL. the only Public Limited Pharmaceutical Company. having its 100 per cent share owned by the government. earned pre-tax profit of 4.27 crore in 1993-94. a press release said

The pre-tax profit increased as the company's production and sale rose. Against production and sale of goods worth Taka 38.35 crore and Taka 35.33 crore respectively in 1993 and 1994. the company produced and sold essential drugs and medicines worth Taka 43.02 crore and Taka 42.78 crore respectively in the fiscal year

All categories of employees of EDCL were exerting their efforts to produce qual ity drugs at reasonable prices for meeting the MSR (Medical and Surgical Requi sites) of the government and to share in implementing the policy of "health for all by the year 2000," the press release added.