Beacon Pharmaceuticals: Bringing life-saving medicines to the world

Bangladesh's economy is growing fast, with the country targeting an economic expansion of 7.5% for the 2022/23 fiscal year, to build on an average GDP growth rate of 6.6% over the last 13 years. In recent years Bangladesh's pharmaceutical industry has also risen in importance, part of a general trend of economic and social growth that has enabled the country to move from least developing country to developing country status.

The pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh is one of the fastest growing industries in the country, and is forecast to grow to $6 billion by 2025, up 114% from 2019 levels, according to a report from market insight and analysis firm Research and Markets.

Although Bangladesh previously had the capacity to manufacture 90% of its own pharmaceuticals, for life-saving drugs, like cancer medicines and technologically advanced drugs, Bangladesh has long been import-dependent. This is changing.

"We are well known both locally and globally as a quality, innovative and latest drugs manufacturer. From its inception, we have started to produce technologically advanced dosage forms, which were basically import dependent, says Mohammed Ebadul Karim, managing director of Beacon Pharmaceuticals, one of the leading Bangladeshi pharma companies. "Globally there is a scarcity of affordable life-saving drugs. Our aim is to offer these drugs for global patients at affordable price, so that no one will die without getting the advanced treatment of cancer", he added.

Beacon Pharmaceuticals was established in 2006, at the time when Bangladesh already had the capacity to produce most drugs in the country. Karim, however, dreamt of a company which could serve patients with lifesaving drugs.