Free supply of hypertension medicines still not fully implemented three years after decision, experts concerned

A decision was taken in 2023 to provide amlodipine (5 mg), a medicine used to treat high blood pressure, free of charge through all community clinics across Bangladesh. However, three years later, the decision has yet to be fully implemented, raising concerns about access to hypertension medication, particularly among rural and disadvantaged populations.

Experts expressed concern over the delay at a journalists’ workshop titled “Sustainable Financing for Hypertension Control in Bangladesh: Progress, Barriers and the Way Forward” held at the Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) Bhaban in the capital on Sunday.

They stressed the need to ensure a free supply of medicines for hypertension patients and allocate a significant portion of the health budget to preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

The workshop was organised by research and advocacy organisation PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress), with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI).

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics’ (BBS) Health and Morbidity Status Survey 2025, hypertension ranks first among the country’s top 10 diseases, participants were told at the workshop.

In 2024, approximately 283,800 people died from heart diseases in Bangladesh, with hypertension accounting for 52% of those deaths.

Of particular concern is the rising prevalence of hypertension among young people. According to the Bangladesh NCD STEPS Survey 2018, around 12% of people aged 18 to 39 suffer from high blood pressure.

Speakers said non-communicable diseases account for a substantial proportion of deaths in Bangladesh, while budgetary allocations for their prevention and control remain inadequate. They noted that adequate and sustainable financing for hypertension control could help reduce the risks of heart disease and other NCDs, as well as related deaths.

Mohammad Riad Arefin, deputy general manager (sales and marketing) at Essential Drugs Company Limited, said, “Increasing the allocation for the health sector in the 2026–27 fiscal year is an important step by the government. If the increased allocation is prioritised for hypertension control, it will be possible to ensure an uninterrupted supply of free medicines for marginalised populations.”

Dowlut Akter Mala, president of the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF), said, “Non-communicable diseases account for 71% of all deaths in the country, yet only 4.2% of the health budget is allocated to these diseases. The media can play an important role in highlighting the need for increased allocations.”

Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh country lead at GHAI, said hypertension affects more people in the country than any other condition, making sustainable financing essential to controlling the disease.

The workshop was chaired by ABM Zubayer, executive director of PROGGA. Samiha Binte Kamal, programme officer at the organisation, delivered a thematic presentation.