OVERWHELMED as we are by some pressing national agenda, we have willy-nilly tended to look askance at some institutional weaknesses that seem set to impact on national health, and perhaps the economy. One such problem relates to the drug administration organisation having virtually turned dysfunctional. The organisation's long list of functions include issuance of drug manufacturing licences, inspection of pharmaceutical factories, evaluation of drug quality, grant of permission for import of raw materials and export of medicines.

It's a pity that such an important organisation finds itself in a state of collapse due to manpower shortage at the top and lower down. It is working like a headless chicken for the last three months with the director's post lying vacant. Ajoint secretary is in current charge, but he cannot devote full time to the office, being present only once ortwiceaweek. As forthe mandatory inspection of the factories, out of 42 officials meant for the job, 15 have gone abroad. Of the remainder 27, only seven are posted in Dhaka and 20 spread thin all overthe country. No wonder, drugs of questionable quality from several factories which are not subjected toany oversight have intruded into the market.

Equally important is the fact that import of raw materials being hindered due to slow pace of work at the drug administration, output of medicine would decline with the possibility of drug prices going up. Already there is a price pressure on the market.

Last but not least, export is being hurt. Among the developing countries Bangladesh has a strong pharmaceutical base, even enjoying a comparative advantage over Malaysia and Pakistan which are more import-dependent than us. In fact, ourdrug export potential is estimated to have gone higherwith the WTO waiver on intellectual property rights for some specialised drug manufacturing being granted to the LDCs. Amongst the LDCs in Africa and Asia, Bangladesh is considered to be a potential front runner in the manufacture of some highly exportable drugs. Forex earning could be substantial if we tap this potential.

We draw the attention of the government to the stuttering state of drug administration and urge them to fully equip the body with expert manpower and logistical backup so that it can deliver the goods in a vital area of national life and economy.