Abstract:
The concept of essential drugs was introduced in Bangladesh in the later part of
~ 970s, but government published the "Essential Drug list" or "EOL" in 1982
along with the National Drug Policy (NDP). World Health Organization (WHO)
globally offers its help and cooperation to the concept of essential drugs to
ensure the rational use of life saving drugs. The NDP stated that no medicine of
any kind can be manufactured for sale or be imported, distributed or sold unless
it is registered with the licensing authority and no person, being a retailer, is
allowed to sell any drug without the personal supervision of a pharmacist
registered in any Register of the Pharmacy Council of Bangladesh. Despite
substantial progress in drug manufacturing, irrational drug use, inappropriate
prescribing, inadequate access to essential drugs, uncontrolled price and
inappropriate selling of drugs are major problems affecting the total health care
system badly of Bangladesh. This project is based on a thorough survey on drug
selling pattem in Bangladesh and also based on reviewing related literatures,
newspapers articles and online searches using Google. The obtained samples
were categorized and reviewed carefully. After reviewing, the result is that, most
of the medications are nonprescribed and sold inappropriately and polypharmacy
is very common. Injections, Antibiotics, Suppositories and many other
sophisticated drugs are often sold irrationally without standard guidelines.
Virtually, all the drugs are available without prescriptions and self-medications
are highly common. Access to essential medicines is Significantly less than that
mentioned in the official documents. Price of essential medicines is not
consistent and the drugs regulating authority does not have any control over
pricing of drugs. Counterfeit medicines have deluged Bangladesh market with an
estimated worth of US$100- US$150. Smaller drug manufacturers are engaged
in the production substandard or fake drugs. The drug controlling authority
should be more vigilant to ensure appropriate use and availability of medicines.
Advanced studies are required to assess drug use pattems in the country to find
out the picture of Drug Selling Pattem in Bangladesh. This survey programme
was conducted in three areas namely Mymensingh, Jamalpur and Sherpur.
Description:
This thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) in East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.