The pharmaceutical sector in Bangladesh is in the spotlight after a government adviser said some firms spend up to Tk100 crore a year on drug promotion, a fact that raises fresh questions about priorities and offers a chance for positive change. The key issue is simple: promotion can help doctors and patients learn about new treatments, but when a large share of money goes on marketing it can leave less for research, quality checks and lower medicine prices. Industry leaders, regulators and health experts say this is an opportunity to build clearer rules that keep promotion honest, protect patients and encourage firms to put more funds into safety, product testing and practical innovation. A balanced approach would keep useful information flowing to health workers while steering wasteful spending away from aggressive sales tactics that do not improve care. Steps that could help include stronger disclosure of marketing budgets, simple limits where needed, training for medical sales staff in ethics, and awards for firms that invest in clinical trials or domestic quality labs. Better rules can also support fair competition so smaller local manufacturers that focus on quality are not disadvantaged by bigger marketing budgets. Public health advocates suggest redirecting part of promotion budgets into patient support programmes, drug affordability measures or open data on clinical results so doctors and patients can judge treatments by evidence rather than advertising. Regulators can encourage this shift by making approvals and clear labeling faster for products backed by independent studies, and by offering small grants or tax incentives for companies that spend on research and testing rather than only on promotion. Digital tools and plain, evidence-based educational materials can keep doctors informed without heavy spending, and simple public campaigns can help patients understand when a medicine is needed and how to use it safely. For the industry, investing more in quality and research builds long-term trust and can open export chances as buyers abroad look for reliable suppliers. Local firms that raise standards may win steady contracts and create skilled jobs in testing, regulatory compliance and quality control. With modest policy moves, pilot grants and clear ethics guidance, the sector can shift toward practices that benefit patients, lower overall costs and strengthen domestic capabilities. The challenge is practical but doable: align incentives so marketing supports useful information while larger investments go into safety, quality and innovation that bring lasting benefits for health systems and communities.
