Three months ago, a file of gastric tablets was Tk 100, which is now Tk 140. Though the medicine manufacturing company could not specify the reason behind the sudden surge in price.

A tour of city pharmacies has shown that medicine preparing companies have raised the price of pressure and gastric medicines.

Representatives of medicine manufacturers have said that since the price of raw materials has risen, the rates here have also seen an increase.

Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) General Secretary SM Shafiuzzaman, said: “around 100 factories in China have been shut down due to environmental concerns; this may have had an impact on the price of certain medicines here.”

Director General, Directorate General of Drug Administration, Maj Gen Md Mahbubur Rahman, observed: “as per ordinance 1994, only the prices of 117 medicines are under our jurisdiction; prices of other medicines are determined by the company.”

But we always request companies to keep the price of medicines within an affordable price range, he added.