𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬

…𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒘𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒔 𝒂𝒇𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚, 𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆𝒕𝒚, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈-𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒎 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒅𝒓𝒖𝒈𝒔

By Sonam Choden

Health Ministry is reviewing Bangladesh’s proposal to supply essential medicines through a government to government arrangement. Officials say the initiative, if approved, could influence the country’s pharmaceutical procurement system and support long term health security.

Health Secretary Pemba Wangchuk described the offer as a promising step toward ensuring access to affordable and reliable medical supplies. “The proposal presents a promising opportunity for the country to access affordable and reliable medical supplies,” he said. He added that “the Government will conduct a thorough review before taking any decision.”

The proposal was first discussed during Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay’s state visit to Bangladesh from November 22 to 24, 2025 and was included in the Joint Statement issued by the two governments. The arrangement seeks to create a direct procurement channel between the two countries, which could reduce costs, stabilise supply and limit dependence on intermediaries.

According to the Health Secretary, the proposal will undergo a detailed review before any commitment is made. The Ministry of Health plans to assess three key areas. These include the price competitiveness of Bangladeshi pharmaceuticals, their compliance with Bhutan’s regulatory and quality standards and the overall feasibility of transportation and logistics. Officials say that while affordability remains important, quality and safety will not be compromised.

Bhutan currently procures essential medicines through local suppliers registered with the Department of Medical Supplies and the National Medical Services. These suppliers source medicines from international manufacturers. Azista Bhutan remains the country’s only domestic pharmaceutical manufacturer and produces about 21 medicines. For items not covered under regular tendering processes, the Royal Bhutanese Consulate in Kolkata helps facilitate emergency procurements.

In this context, Bangladesh’s proposal provides an opportunity to diversify the country’s supply base and possibly reduce procurement costs. Officials, however, emphasise that financial benefits alone cannot guide decisions of this nature. Bhutan’s procurement framework is established on strict quality control measures and adherence to international pharmaceutical standards.

The financial situation adds urgency to the ongoing review. Global price increases for essential drugs, vaccines and medical equipment have placed pressure on the national health budget. For the 2025 to 2026 fiscal year, the Government allocated Nu 557.73 million to ensure uninterrupted procurement of essential medicines. Of this amount, Nu 139.43 million was released in the first quarter. In the previous fiscal year, Bhutan spent Nu 513 million on essential drugs and Nu 2,863 million on medical equipment, radiology items, vaccines and consumer protection materials.
Bhutan’s national health system is supported by a list of 428 essential medicines which are categorized as vital, essential and necessary. These medicines form the foundation of healthcare services across hospitals and Basic Health Units. Ensuring a consistent supply has become more difficult due to rising global prices, supply disruptions and complex logistics.

Bangladesh is not a new partner in this area. In 2018, it supplied 257 types of medicines to Bhutan in four consignments. The cooperation resulted in notable financial savings for the Bhutan Health Trust Fund. This past experience provides confidence in the capability of Bangladesh to supply essential medicines, although officials say the Government will approach the current proposal with caution.

“Should the cost of the medicines be reasonable or lower than current market rates, and provided the quality meets our standards, we are open to partnering with the Government of Bangladesh to take this initiative forward,” said the Health Secretary.

As the review progresses, the Government’s decision will need to balance affordability with safety and national priorities with regional cooperation. For health policymakers, the proposal represents not only a procurement option but also an opportunity to strengthen the country’s resilience in securing a stable, high quality and reliable supply of essential medicines in the future.