DHAKA, April 8, (V7N) - In a major step toward making healthcare more affordable, the government has announced plans to set up “government pharmacies” at all public hospitals across the country. These facilities will provide 250 essential medicines at just one-third of the current market price.

Special Assistant to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Professor Dr Md Sayedur Rahman, revealed the initiative during a press briefing on Tuesday. He said that while government hospitals currently offer lab tests and primary health services, they lack an integrated pharmaceutical service—something the new plan aims to change.

“These pharmacies will supply widely-used, high-quality medicines directly on hospital premises, ensuring patients get the care they need without financial strain,” Dr Rahman said. He stressed that the move aligns with the government’s broader mission to make medical treatment more accessible for all citizens.

Sources within the ministry confirmed that the pharmacies will be installed at every public hospital, ensuring countrywide reach. The project will be powered by state-run pharmaceutical producer Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL), which already procures medicines worth TK 1,300 crore annually.

Highlighting a key challenge, Dr Rahman noted that drug theft is a concern. To counter this, the government will implement a digital monitoring system to ensure transparency and prevent misuse of the subsidized medicine supply.

Dr Rahman added that the initiative could potentially serve up to 85% of patients at government hospitals and transform the nation’s healthcare landscape. “By expanding our production capacity and budget for medicine procurement, we can secure timely access to life-saving drugs,” he said.

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