Collage Photo -

By Barun Kumar Das

DHAKA, May 10, 2026 (BSS) - The state-owned pharmaceutical manufacturer Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL) is set to begin producing vaccines for dengue, rabies, and measles, along with antivenom for snakebites, under a government initiative for the first time in Bangladesh.

"If implemented successfully, this initiative by the current government will not only meet the country’s vaccine demand but also create export opportunities," Managing Director (MD) of Essential Drugs Company Limited, Md. A. Samad Mridha told BSS.

Samad Mridha said that under the Prime Minister’s directive and the supervision of the Health Minister, the company has undertaken the project on an emergency basis.

 Considering the current public health situation, dengue, rabies, snakebites, and measles have become major public health concerns, he said.

Therefore, he said,domestic production of vaccines for these diseases has become extremely important.

He further said that these vaccines have been prioritized because of their high demand in the local market.

 “We are working with the goal of starting production of these four vaccines within one year. We hope to begin production and supply them to the government by June next year,” he added.

He said the project will be implemented using the company’s existing infrastructure, with an estimated cost of around Tk 25 crore. Once operational, the project will be capable of producing approximately 9 million to 10 million vials of vaccines annually.

Samad Mridha told BSS that the total annual demand in the country for these four vaccines is currently around 5 million doses.

If this initiative is implemented, the vaccines can be supplied locally at nearly half the cost at which the government currently imports them. 

In addition, after meeting domestic demand, opportunities for vaccine exports will also emerge.

According to Directorate General of Health Services, as of May 9, around 47,656 children had been infected with measles nationwide. 

Experts say the outbreak occurred because vaccines were not administered on time.

Discussions with relevant stakeholders revealed that hospitals across the country are currently facing shortages of antivenom and rabies vaccines.

Every year, deaths occur from snakebites due to a lack of antivenom. 

One study found that approximately 400,000 people are bitten by snakes annually in Bangladesh, with more than 7,500 deaths recorded each year.

Samad Mridha said the government is planning to establish a modern vaccine and research complex in Sirajdikhan, Munshiganj, at a cost of around Tk 7,500 crore. 

The complex will conduct research on all types of vaccines, develop new biotechnology products, and establish general pharmaceutical production units.

Funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the center is being constructed on approximately 10 acres of land. 

The target is to begin production at the center by 2032.

 Once implemented, the project will enable Bangladesh not only to meet domestic demand but also to gain a competitive position in the international market.

In addition, the organization currently has four projects related to antivenom, rabies prevention, generic medicines, research, and diagnostics. Once these projects are implemented, EDCL will gain significant capacity to meet the government’s demand for medicines and vaccines.