Cabinet Approves Repeal of Essential Drugs List and Pricing Method for 2026
The cabinet has approved the cancellation of the "Essential Drugs List 2026" and the "Drug Pricing Method 2026." The decision was made during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tareq Rahman at the Secretariat on Monday afternoon, as stated in a press release from the Cabinet Division. The government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring safe, effective, quality, and affordable medicines for the public. The reason cited for the repeal is that the formulation of the essential drugs list under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 2023, requires consultation with the National Drug Advisory Council, a step that was not followed. The list and pricing method published in January 2026 during the interim government period were created without this mandatory consultation, leading to a legal challenge through a writ petition currently pending in the High Court. Subsequently, the National Drug Advisory Council was formed on June 29th, in accordance with the 2023 act, and the cabinet approved the inclusion of the Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services in this council. Despite the cancellation of the 2026 specific lists, the essential drugs list and government pricing mechanisms established by a 1994 order from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will remain in effect. A decision has been made to update the essential drugs list, ensuring that drug prices are set to avoid undue burden on the public and maintain healthy market competition. Zakir Hossain, former Secretary General of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries, welcomed the decision, stating it will resolve a two-year stagnation in the pharmaceutical sector and restore market stability.
The cabinet's decision to repeal the 2026 essential drugs list and pricing methodology, citing procedural irregularities, addresses a legal vacuum and potential market stagnation. By reverting to the 1994 framework while initiating an update, the government aims to balance public access to affordable medicine with industry stability. This move reflects a governance challenge in aligning new legislation with established administrative processes. The inclusion of the DG Health in the advisory council signals an attempt to strengthen regulatory oversight. Moving forward, ensuring transparent and timely updates to the essential drugs list, informed by robust consultation and market dynamics, will be crucial for sustainable pharmaceutical sector growth and public health outcomes, particularly in the context of evolving healthcare needs and technological advancements.
AI-generated to prompt reflection — not editorial opinion, not advice, not a statement of fact. How this works.
