DHAKA, July 1, 2026 (BSS) - The government has reconstituted the 24-member 
National Drug Advisory Council under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 2023, with 
the Health and Family Welfare Minister as its chairman.

According to a gazette notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Monday, 
the secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will serve as the 
member secretary of the council.

The notification said the earlier gazette issued on June 21 constituting a 
22-member National Drug Advisory Council has been cancelled and the new order 
has come into effect immediately.

Under the reconstituted council, the state minister for health and family 
welfare, the Prime Minister's Special Assistant on Health, the executive 
chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), the 
finance secretary, the chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), and 
the secretary of the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division have been 
included as members.

The secretaries of the ministries of Food, Industries, Science and 
Technology, Power, Fisheries and Livestock, and Commerce are also members of 
the council.

Besides, the director generals of the Directorate General of Drug 
Administration (DGDA) and the Department of Livestock Services (DLS), the 
vice-chancellors of Bangladesh Medical University and Bangladesh Agricultural 
University, the secretary of the Bangladesh Pharmacy Council, the chairmen of 
the Pharmacy and Chemistry departments of Dhaka University, and the 
presidents of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry 
(FBCCI), the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) and 
the Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Society have been included in the council.

According to the notification, the council will advise the government on 
implementing the National Drug Policy, promoting the domestic pharmaceutical 
industry, ensuring the production and supply of medicines in line with 
national demand, preparing and updating the essential medicines list every 
two years, and formulating policies related to the import, production and 
export of medicines and raw materials.

The council will also coordinate activities among relevant ministries, 
government agencies and organisations involved in the production, import, 
distribution and sale of medicines and provide policy advice to the 
government during emergencies.

The notification said the council will meet at least twice a year and may 
hold additional meetings if necessary. It will also have the authority to co-
opt experts as members whenever required.