The High Court has ordered to take effective measures to prevent excessive price increase of all types of medicines. The Director General of the Department of Drug Administration has been asked to implement this order.

Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md. Atabullah High Court bench gave this order on Monday.

At the same time, the court has issued a ruling seeking to know why the inaction of the authorities to prevent the continuous increase in the price of medicines will not be illegal. Besides, the court has ordered to stop the sale of unauthorized medicines imported from abroad. Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua heard on behalf of the writ in the court. Deputy Attorney General Tushar Kanti Roy appeared for the state. Assistant Attorney General Salim Azad and Anich ul Mawa were with him.

A writ was attached to the High Court with a report titled 'Drug prices increased by 7 to 140 percent in two weeks'. Writ to Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB). According to the report, in two months, various companies in the country have rampantly increased the prices of their manufactured drugs. Prices of at least 50 types of medicines have been hiked from 20 to a maximum of 140 percent. In the first week of this March, the prices of several medicines have also been increased. Antibiotic tablets, insulin and injections for diabetics have increased the most. Apart from this, the prices of various medicines and vitamins including heart disease, high blood pressure problems, asthma have also increased. Fever-cold tablets-capsules, syrups for various diseases have not been left out.

A review of production cost increases and sales revenue accounts of various companies shows that the rate of increase in prices is abnormal. Companies are blaming the devaluation of the rupee against the dollar and the rise in the cost of raw materials in the international market as the reason for this unusual price hike. During this time, the price of gas and electricity increased and the production cost increased, said the top officials of the pharmaceutical companies.