Pharmaceutical products of Bangladesh can enter into Australias off patented and generic medicine market subject to fulfillment of certain procedural requirements by the exporters. This was mentioned by Chief Executive Officer Ian Chalmers of Medicines Australia, the leading association of exporters and importers of medicine in Australia, during his discussion with the Bangladesh High Commissioner to Australia M Humayun Kabir in Canberra on January 23.

Chalmers expressed his willingness to welcome a delegation from the pharmaceutical producers of Bangladesh to explore the Australian medicine market. He said, Medicines Australia would be happy to provide necessary assistance to the Bangladesh delegation during their proposed visit.

Humayun Kabir said Bangladesh currently export pharmaceutical items worth about one billion dollars annually to more than 40 countries. He pointed out the advantages Bangladesh enjoys as a LDC in this category of products.

Medicines Australia CEO informed that the Australian government is the major buyer of medicines and they usually encourage more competition in the medicine market. It could open new opportunity for medicines from Bangladesh. He pointed out that potential exporters from Bangladesh should follow the procedures, including registration of pharmaceutical products with Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration, which could be followed up by discussion with the commercial importers in Australia.