21 March, 2025

In a recent revelation that has stirred both public and professional concern, Bangladeshi authorities have identified alarming discrepancies between the import prices and retail prices of various medical devices. According to preliminary findings, some medical items that entered the country at an import cost as low as $30 were later being sold in the local market for as high as Tk 3 lakh—a nearly 100-fold markup.

This discovery has prompted the government to form a special investigative committee, tasked with analyzing pricing practices in the healthcare equipment industry, identifying unethical or exploitative behaviors, and recommending corrective policies to bring transparency and fairness to the market.

---

The Scope of the Problem

 

Medical devices, including ventilators, infusion pumps, patient monitors, surgical tools, and implants, are essential to the functioning of hospitals and clinics. A large portion of these are imported, especially high-tech or specialized equipment not manufactured locally. However, the lack of structured pricing regulations in the medical device sector has allowed some importers and distributors to exploit the pricing gap, charging exorbitant rates to hospitals and patients.

For instance, a simple imported surgical stapler priced at a few thousand taka abroad may end up costing patients ten times more in local hospitals. In extreme cases, reports surfaced of devices being sold at prices 20 to 50 times higher than their declared import value.

---

Impact on Healthcare Providers and Patients

 

These inflated prices not only strain hospital budgets, especially in the private sector, but also push critical care out of reach for many patients. In a country where the majority pay out-of-pocket for medical treatment, this issue poses a direct threat to affordability and access. Life-saving treatments such as heart surgeries, cancer therapy, or orthopedic operations may become inaccessible to the average citizen simply because of device overpricing.

Moreover, smaller clinics and rural healthcare facilities, which often operate on tight budgets, may be unable to purchase essential devices at such inflated costs, thereby widening the healthcare gap between urban and rural areas.

---

Government Action and Industry Scrutiny

 

In response, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, along with the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA), has begun auditing pricing data, cross-referencing customs declarations, and reviewing procurement records from hospitals. The newly-formed committee includes representatives from government agencies, public health experts, and consumer rights groups.

Their goal is to ensure that medical devices are fairly priced, profit margins are regulated, and patients are protected from exploitation. Additionally, the government is also looking into:

• Implementing price control measures

• Establishing a national pricing database

• Mandating price labeling on packaging

• Standardizing procurement processes

---

The Way Forward

 

While profit is a legitimate part of any business model, experts agree that healthcare should not be treated purely as a commercial venture, especially when it concerns devices critical to life and survival. The pricing irregularities in the medical device sector point to a larger need for regulation, transparency, and accountability.

Moving forward, Bangladesh may need to introduce specific medical device pricing laws, create centralized procurement systems for public hospitals, and encourage local manufacturing to reduce dependence on imports and curb the impact of overpricing.

---

Conclusion

 

The exposure of such vast discrepancies in medical device pricing is a wake-up call for Bangladesh’s healthcare system. It underscores the urgent need for reform—not just to protect consumers, but to uphold the integrity and equity of the healthcare sector. Transparent pricing, ethical business practices, and strong regulatory oversight are now more important than ever to ensure that every patient, regardless of income, has fair access to necessary medical treatment.

Read More