B Mirror Desk: The government has initiated the establishment of pharmacies within all government hospital premises across the nation. This initiative will allow the general public to purchase 250 different types of medications at one-third of their usual cost.

According to the Ministry of Health, this move aims to provide high-quality and standardized medications to everyone at prices that are more affordable.

On Tuesday, Professor Dr. Sayedur Rahman, a special assistant to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, confirmed this development to the press.

With the health sector under significant strain and the rising costs of medications, many patients find it difficult to manage their medical expenses, leading to increased financial hardship. Health professionals view the introduction of government pharmacies as a significant advancement in addressing this issue.

Professor Sayedur Rahman stated, “This government initiative will greatly benefit the general populace. Our objective is to lower medication costs and enhance healthcare accessibility. The establishment of government pharmacies could enable treatment for 85 percent of patients, marking a revolutionary advancement in the health sector.”

However, he acknowledged the challenge of preventing drug theft to ensure the effective operation of these pharmacies, noting that digital management systems will be implemented to tackle this issue.

Dr. Sayedur Rahman added, “Each year, the government pharmaceutical company EDCL purchases approximately Tk 1300 crore worth of drugs, and moving forward, the budget will be increased to acquire additional medications. By enhancing the government’s production capacity, we will ensure timely availability of essential drugs.”