Several manufacturers of intravenous (IV) saline solutions in Bangladesh have scaled back production amid a government-imposed price freeze, leading to acute shortages during the current dengue outbreak. While demand for saline bags has surged—doubling to approximately 80 to 90 lakh bags monthly—available supply meets only about one-third of that need, industry sources say.
Major producers including Pharma, Essential Drugs, and Popular Pharma have reduced output, and companies such as Incepta, Healthcare, ACME, and ACI have exited the market altogether, citing unprofitable conditions. The government-owned Essential Drugs Company Limited (EDCL) is also struggling to meet demand, producing an estimated three to four lakh bags per month, far below both normal and current requirements.
IV saline is critical for patients suffering severe dehydration or imbalances in fluid and electrolytes, including dengue cases, but must be administered under clinical supervision. Several patients and caregivers have reported difficulty finding saline bags at pharmacies in Dhaka’s Shyamoli, Moghbazar, Eskaton, and Shahbagh areas, with some searching multiple outlets before locating supplies.
Pharmacy operators confirm that saline availability has been irregular, with the shortage intensifying in recent weeks. Faisal Ahmed of Medicare Pharmacy in New Eskaton said customers frequently leave empty-handed due to erratic supplies.
Manufacturers attribute the supply bottleneck primarily to rising input costs linked to currency depreciation and import dependency. Md Moniruzzaman Aurok, deputy manager at Popular Pharma, explained that the falling value of the Bangladeshi taka has sharply increased the cost of imported raw materials, pushing production prices well above the government-set ceiling. Orion Infusion’s assistant vice-president, Khairul Basher, noted that nearly all production inputs except water are imported, which translates to a production cost increase from Tk85 lakh to around Tk1.20 crore for goods previously costing Tk1 crore. Basher added that sustained losses since 2020 have made it financially untenable for companies to continue subsidizing production, with monthly losses reportedly reaching up to Tk2 crore.
Some long-standing manufacturers have been forced to shut down facilities after prolonged financial strain. Libra, which started saline production in 1985 with a monthly capacity of 100,000 bags, ceased operations amid persistent losses and a shortage of working capital, according to company officials and a July inspection by Dhaka Stock Exchange representatives. Meanwhile, Beximco Pharma temporarily halted its saline production but recently resumed supplying 500ml bags, with plans to release one-liter packs by the end of October.
Efforts to revise pricing have been delayed. Manufacturers submitted proposals to raise prices by 10-15% to cover increased import and production costs, aiming to maintain operations without necessarily seeking profits. The Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA) confirmed it had forwarded the proposals to the health ministry, where a committee is currently reviewing the matter. Dr. Md Akter Hossain, DGDA’s director and spokesperson, stated that a decision would follow the committee’s meeting.
Manufacturers also recalled a similar situation in 2023 when the government requested temporary production increases with assurances of subsequent price adjustments. However, the process stalled following a change of government, leaving the current proposal pending.
As demand continues to escalate amid the dengue and measles outbreaks, the inability to adjust saline prices threatens to exacerbate shortages, affecting hospitals and patients reliant on these essential fluids.