Bangladesh is one of the fastest-growing pharmaceutical markets in the world, with a domestic market size of around BDT 230 billion in 2019 and an annual growth rate of 13.90%. The country has more than 300 registered pharmaceutical companies that produce various types of medicines, vaccines, biologics, and nutraceuticals. The pharmaceutical industry is also a major contributor to the country’s export earnings, with more than 80 countries importing medicines from Bangladesh.

Top 10 Medicine Companies in Bangladesh with Per Month Salary Information

In this article, we will look at the top 10 medicine companies in Bangladesh based on their market share, product portfolio, quality standards, and reputation. We will also provide some information on the average monthly salary of different positions in these companies.

1. Square Pharmaceuticals Limited

Square Pharmaceuticals Limited is the largest and most reputed pharmaceutical company in Bangladesh, holding the first position for the last 31 years. The company was established in 1958 and started its operation in 1964. It has four manufacturing units in Dhaka and Pabna, producing more than 1,000 products in various therapeutic classes. The company has also diversified into other sectors such as agrovet, textiles, toiletries, and information technology.

Square Pharmaceuticals Limited has received several international certifications and accreditations for its quality management system, such as US FDA, UK MHRA, TGA Australia, EU GMP, WHO GMP, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001. The company exports its products to more than 50 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

The average monthly salary of an executive at Square Pharmaceuticals Limited is BDT 402,000⁸, while a senior officer earns BDT 720,000⁸. A production supervisor earns BDT 240,000⁸, while a medical promotion officer earns BDT 300,000⁸.

2. Incepta Pharmaceuticals Limited

Incepta Pharmaceuticals Limited is the second-largest pharmaceutical company in Bangladesh, established in 1999. The company has two manufacturing units in Savar and Dhamrai, producing more than 700 products in various dosage forms and therapeutic categories. The company has also invested in biotechnology and vaccine production facilities.

Incepta Pharmaceuticals Limited has obtained several international certifications and approvals for its quality standards, such as UK MHRA, EU GMP, TGA Australia, ANVISA Brazil, INVIMA Colombia, WHO GMP, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001. The company exports its products to more than 70 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

The average monthly salary of an executive at Incepta Pharmaceuticals Limited is BDT 420,000, while a senior officer earns BDT 750,000. A quality control officer earns BDT 360,000, while a medical promotion officer earns BDT 312,000.

3. Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited

Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited is the third-largest pharmaceutical company in Bangladesh, established in 1976. The company has four manufacturing units in Tongi and Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ), producing more than 500 products in various dosage forms and therapeutic areas. The company has also ventured into biotechnology and respiratory medicine segments.

Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited is the first Bangladeshi company to receive US FDA approval for its oral solid dosage facility. The company has also received other international certifications and accreditations such as UK MHRA,
EU GMP,
TGA Australia,
Health Canada,
GCC DR,
WHO GMP,
ISO
9001,
ISO
14001,
and OHSAS
18001.
The company exports its products to more than
60
countries across Asia,
Africa,
Europe,
and North America.

The average monthly salary of an executive at Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited is BDT
420
,
000
⁶,
while a senior officer earns BDT
720
,
000
⁶.
A biologist earns BDT
65
,
000
⁶,
while a sales executive earns BDT
180
,
000
⁶.

4. Renata Limited

Renata Limited is the fourth-largest pharmaceutical company in Bangladesh,
established in
1972
as a subsidiary of Pfizer.
The company became independent in
1993
and changed its name to Renata.
The company has three manufacturing units in Mirpur,
Rajendrapur,
and Manikganj,
producing more than
400
products in various dosage forms and therapeutic classes.
The company has also expanded into animal health,
nutrition,
and crop care segments.

Renata Limited has received several international certifications and recognitions for its quality standards,
such as UK MHRA,
EU GMP,
TGA Australia,
WHO GMP,
ISO
9001,
ISO
14001,
and OHSAS
18001.
The company exports its products to more than
30
countries across Asia,
Africa,
Europe,
and Latin America.

The average monthly salary of an executive at Renata Limited is BDT
600
,
000
,
while a senior officer earns BDT
1
,
080
,
000
.
A production supervisor earns BDT
300
,
000
,
while a medical promotion officer earns BDT
336
,
000
.

5. Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Limited

Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Limited is the fifth-largest pharmaceutical company in Bangladesh, established in 1988. The company has two manufacturing units in Tongi and Rajendrapur, producing more than 300 products in various dosage forms and therapeutic categories. The company has also invested in biotechnology and oncology segments.

Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Limited has obtained several international certifications and approvals for its quality standards, such as UK MHRA, EU GMP, TGA Australia, ANVISA Brazil, WHO GMP, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001. The company exports its products to more than 40 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

The average monthly salary of an executive at Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Limited is BDT 396,000, while a senior officer earns BDT 504,000. A quality control officer earns BDT 360,000, while a medical promotion officer earns BDT 300,000.

6. Opsonin Pharma Limited

Opsonin Pharma Limited is the sixth-largest pharmaceutical company in Bangladesh, established in 1956. The company has two manufacturing units in Shampur and Savar, producing more than 300 products in various dosage forms and therapeutic classes. The company has also diversified into herbal medicine and consumer products segments.

Opsonin Pharma Limited has received several international certifications and accreditations for its quality standards, such as UK MHRA, EU GMP, TGA Australia, WHO GMP, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001. The company exports its products to more than 30 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

The average monthly salary of an executive at Opsonin Pharma Limited is BDT 408,000, while a senior officer earns BDT 750,000. A quality control officer earns BDT 360,000, while a medical promotion officer earns BDT 312,000.

7. ACI Pharmaceuticals

ACI Pharmaceuticals is the seventh-largest pharmaceutical company in Bangladesh, established in 1968 as a subsidiary of ICI Plc UK. The company became independent in 1992 and changed its name to ACI. The company has three manufacturing units in Narayanganj and Gazipur, producing more than 400 products in various dosage forms and therapeutic classes. The company has also ventured into animal health, agribusiness, consumer brands, and retail segments.

ACI Pharmaceuticals has obtained several international certifications and approvals for its quality standards, such as UK MHRA, EU GMP, TGA Australia, ANVISA Brazil, WHO GMP, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001. The company exports its products to more than 40 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

The average monthly salary of an executive at ACI Pharmaceuticals is BDT 432,000, while a senior officer earns BDT 600,000. A quality control officer earns BDT 360,000, while a medical promotion officer earns BDT 300,000.

8. Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Limited

Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Limited is the eighth-largest pharmaceutical company in Bangladesh,
established in
1990
as a joint venture between SmithKline & French (SKF) and Transcom Group.
The company became fully owned by Transcom Group in
1995
and changed its name to Eskayef.
The company has two manufacturing units in Tongi and Rajendrapur,
producing more than
500
products in various dosage forms and therapeutic classes.
The company has also invested in biotechnology and oncology segments.

Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Limited has received several international certifications and accreditations for its quality standards,
such as UK MHRA,
EU GMP,
TGA Australia,
WHO GMP,
ISO
9001,
ISO
14001,
and OHSAS
18001.
The company exports

9. Drug International Limited

Drug International Limited is the ninth-largest pharmaceutical company in Bangladesh, established in 1974 as a private limited company. The company commenced formulation and production in 1983 and emerged as a pioneer in Bangladesh for adding a state of the art oral solid dosage plant. The company produces more than 300 products in various dosage forms and therapeutic classes. The company has also diversified into other sectors such as information technology, ceramics, textiles, tea, education, healthcare and herbal medicine.

Drug International Limited was the first company in Bangladesh to formulate medicines in soft capsule form for the purpose of maximizing absorption and retention properties of some particular medicines such as vitamins. The company continues to be the leader in the field of soft gelatin capsule manufacturer in Bangladesh to date. The company was also the first in the country to produce a soft gelatin capsule vaginal suppository with anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties branded under the name of GYNOMIX.

Drug International Limited has obtained several international certifications and accreditations for its quality standards, such as WHO GMP, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001. The company exports its products to more than 20 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

The average monthly salary of an executive at Drug International Limited is BDT 360,000, while a senior officer earns BDT 600,000. A quality control officer earns BDT 360,000, while a medical promotion officer earns BDT 300,000.

10. Aristopharma Limited

Aristopharma Limited is the tenth-largest pharmaceutical company in Bangladesh, established in 1986 as a private limited company. The company has two manufacturing units in Shampur and Dhamrai, producing more than 450 products in various dosage forms and therapeutic classes. The company has also invested in biotechnology and oncology segments.

Aristopharma Limited has received several international certifications and approvals for its quality standards, such as UK MHRA, EU GMP, TGA Australia, WHO GMP, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001. The company exports its products to more than 40 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin America.

The average monthly salary of an executive at Aristopharma Limited is BDT 396 , 000 , while a senior officer earns BDT 1 , 080 , 000 . A quality control officer earns BDT 360 , 000 , while a medical promotion officer earns BDT 336 , 000 .

Conclusion

The pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh is one of the most dynamic and promising sectors in the country, contributing to the national economy and public health. The top 10 medicine companies in Bangladesh have shown remarkable performance in terms of market share, product portfolio, quality standards, and reputation. They have also demonstrated their innovation and competitiveness by investing in new technologies and expanding their global presence. These companies offer attractive salary packages and career opportunities for their employees, as well as quality products and services for their customers.

10 Most Asked Questions and Answers

Q: What are the main regulatory bodies for the pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh?

A: The main regulatory bodies for the pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh are:

• The Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA), which is responsible for issuing licenses, registrations, inspections, quality control, and enforcement of drug laws and regulations.
• The Bangladesh Accreditation Board (BAB), which is responsible for accrediting testing laboratories, certification bodies, inspection bodies, and calibration laboratories.
• The National Control Laboratory (NCL), which is responsible for testing and analyzing samples of drugs and raw materials.
• The Pharmacy Council of Bangladesh (PCB), which is responsible for regulating the pharmacy profession and education.

Q: What are the main challenges faced by the pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh?

A: Some of the main challenges faced by the pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh are:

• Lack of adequate infrastructure and skilled manpower for research and development.
• High dependency on imported raw materials and intermediates.
• Low penetration of generic drugs in the domestic market due to brand loyalty and lack of awareness.
• High competition from local and foreign players.
• Regulatory barriers and trade restrictions in some export markets.

Q: What are the main opportunities for the pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh?

A: Some of the main opportunities for the pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh are:

• Growing domestic demand due to increasing population, income, urbanization, and health awareness.
• Increasing export potential due to cost competitiveness, quality standards, product diversification, and market access agreements.
• Emerging segments such as biotechnology, oncology, vaccines, biosimilars, nutraceuticals, herbal medicines, and medical devices.
• Government support and incentives such as tax holidays, duty exemptions, cash subsidies, and low-interest loans.
• Collaboration and partnership with local and foreign institutions, organizations, and companies.

Q: What are the main sources of raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh?

A: The main sources of raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh are:

• Imported active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and excipients from countries such as China, India, Germany, Italy, France, and the USA.
• Locally produced APIs and excipients from some domestic companies such as ACI Pharmaceuticals, Beximco Pharmaceuticals, Square Pharmaceuticals, Incepta Pharmaceuticals, and Eskayef Pharmaceuticals.
• Locally available natural resources such as herbs, plants, minerals, and animal products for herbal medicines and nutraceuticals.

Q: What are the main export destinations for the pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh?

A: The main export destinations for the pharmaceutical industry in Bangladesh are:

• Asia: Countries such as Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and China.
• Africa: Countries such as Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Mali, Mauritius, and South Africa.
• Europe: Countries such as the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus,